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1. d4
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This is the first time I have played macduffee, but I usually answer d4 with ...Nf6 to keep my central pawn options open. |
 
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1... Nf6 2. e3
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An interesting move that leads me to think a Colle is coming. I used to play the Colle quite a bit as white, but more recently have moved to the Scotch Game. It would be fun to play the black side of a Colle. |
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2... e6
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Keeping my options open should white play c4 and transpose into more normal lines. |
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3. c4
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And we are back at a more normal position. I can play ...Bb5 if I want to head into a Bogo-Indian, but that is not what I play with black. |
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3... d5
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I prefer a Queen's Gambit Declined. |
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4. c5
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And now we are out of book. This can't be a good move theoretically, but as a surprise tactic, it may be playable. It certainly caught me by surprise. |
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4... b6
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Threatening to win a pawn with ...bxc5 and ready to meet cxb6 with axb6, opening the a file for my rook. |
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5. b4
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But white wants to bolster his pawn on c5. |
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5... a5
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So I attack the defender. |
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6. b5
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This drops a pawn, but white seems more interested in gaining queenside space. |
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6... bxc5 7. Ba3
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Finally developing a piece, but I'm not sure what this accomplishes. Maybe looking to trade on f8 if black plays ...cxd4, but that trade doesn't really do anything for white. |
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7... cxd4
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So I will take another pawn. |
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8. Bxf8 Rxf8
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And now black can castle by hand with ...Ke7, ...Re8, ...Kf8. But for the time being, the king is safe where he is. |
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9. exd4
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Getting back one of the pawns, but I don't see that white has enough compensation for his sacrificed pawn. |
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9... c6
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Hoping for bxc6, when I can recapture with the knight and increase my lead in development. |
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10. bxc6
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And white obliges. |
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10... Nxc6
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After 10 moves we can take stock of the opening. Black is up a pawn and has both knights developed. The only piece white has that isn't on its starting square is the d4 pawn. If this was a boxing match, white would get a standing eight count. |
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11. Bb5
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Developing a piece with an attack. Maybe this will be a game after all. |
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11... Bd7
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As I am up a pawn, I will look for ways to trade down to an endgame. This prepares to offer a trade of bishops. Oh yeah, and it breaks the pin :) |
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12. Nf3
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Nice developing move that prepares castling. |
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