Annotated chess game

It may not be common but this move is sometimes used by French players for the exact reason of playing on their own knowledge of the French Defence. It cn also be used to transpose into the Nimzo-Indian, QGD or Catalan positions.

Yes this move does develop with a threat but I don't think it really deserves a ! as this often happens in the opening especially with pieces attacking pawns, e.g 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 (you wouldn't really give that a ! would you.) Its the same with the next move.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!yes what a truly wonderful move the greats Fischer, Alkene, Capablanca would have been proud of that 1!!!!  

! Good move it builds up a pawn centre which Black will find really hard to breakdown.

You're a bit harsh on yourself! Yes this does allow Ng4, but Ng4 isn't that good for Black because it moves a piece twice in the opening and if Black wants to exchange one of his only developed (good/active) pieces then let him! No way did this move deserve ? It doesn't deserve a ! either it is a standard developing move.

I tend to think that the Bishop is worth slightly more than the knight in this position, so I think the original comment was true

This is a good strategy, castling on opposite sides then pawn storming the opposite side!

I wouldn't say this move was that good, it stops the Bishops development to c4 and also threatens "8. b4 9. Ne2 and Nxe4 winning a pawn" but White can just reply by developing his lightsquared bishop to d3 eliminating both problems. Also you say here that this discourages you from castling Queen-side, I don't see why? The problem with Castling opposite sides is that both of the players will fling there pawns forward on the side of the enemy king which creates an imbalanced game like the Sicilian, I don't see why this is necessarily bad because you (White) have a lead in development so you can deal with any early Queenside attacks after 0-0-0 because Black has not developed his pieces to support the attack or either defend adainst yours, you have developed your pieces so you should be able to attack first on the Kingside!

Yes, if u think it is risky to castle after a simple pawn move, then why bother castling at all?!

Another alternative may have been 8. Bd3 developing a piece and guarding the e4 square incase of the dreaded ...b4?!

!This is a good move as you said opens the f-file for you major pieces and it removes Black's most potent defender of his King.

Still doesn't deserve a ! though Tom.