Curtains vs PoG

[chuckleslovakian]

[ QUOTE ]
why not c5?

[/ QUOTE ]
then we are practically giving him full control of the long diagonal

[ChrisV]

[ QUOTE ]
why not c5?

[/ QUOTE ]

Blocks dark squared bishop. Does nothing to control light squares. Leaves gaping holes on d5 and d6. Permanently ties a piece to the defense of our b7 pawn.

[WillMagic]

c6 all day long, chrisv's reasoning is solid

[David Ottosen]

[ QUOTE ]
1. c4 e5
2. g3 Nf6
3. Bg2

[/ QUOTE ]

Got a PM about this game so I decided to look in. First, despite my fairly large collection of books and Fritz and chessbase etc etc, I'm not going to do any research but instead give off the cuff evaluations. I don't want to become the Irina Krush of this match, doing reams of analysis and the World mindlessly following my suggestions (assuming I'm the highest rated player in the Pog team, which may not be true). My plan is to just comment on the main moves and what kind of positions they would lead to and let Pog make the choices.

Here's the basic options:

1) Play a reversed open sicilian- this would involve playing d5 at the earliest moment. You are playing a tempo down but this will lead to an open game, with the associated risks for both sides. Playing the reversed sicilian against the dragon probably rules out the reverse yugoslav, so you'll have to lean towards the reverse classical, where you play moves like Nc6, Be7, Be6, and he tries to batter you down with a queenside pawn storm.

2) Play a reversed closed sicilian. This would involve playing g6, Bg7, 0-0, d6, Nc6 then trying to get in f5 at some point. The N/f6 may make this plan a bit slow as most players would have played 2...Nc6 and reserved the option of playing f5 before Nf6.

3) Play for the center. This would involve playing moves like c6 and d5, along with Be7 and 0-0. In such games, you will have the center fairly controlled, but at the same time, it will be up to you to defend it. If you can hold it, you'll be in good; if you lose it, you'll be annihilated.

I'll try to remember to keep checking in but I don't see this forum often.

[grando]

c6

[ChrisV]

I don't really want to play against the Dragon a tempo down. The Yugoslav would definitely be out of the question. Second plan doesn't sound good due to the Nf6 being in the way. I'm all for c6 and pwning the center.

Chuckles, it's probably poll time. You should definitely include c6 and d5 and probably g6 and Bc5 as well.

Everyone vote c6 though! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[chuckleslovakian]

1. c4 e5
2. g3 Nf6
3. Bg2

Curtains

PoG

[BobOjedaFan]

I voted for Bc5 but c6 is ok too, just don't open the game too much with d5 we'll die.

[RoundTower]

I don't see how we can play c6 intending not to play d5 any time soon. I like c6 here as well though.

[BluffBlank]

[ QUOTE ]

I voted for Bc5 but I have no idea what i'm doing


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refering to my own ability, not BobO's.

I'm going to go buy a chess book.