Annotated chess game

Nimzovich's defence.

Quite common actually.

But not much bite to it.

Precisely the point of this opening: White can control the centre, while Black tries to undermine it from the flanks.

Hypermodern theory. Let white build the ideal pawn center, then try to tear it down. I still don't like the Nimzo, though.

The few times I've come up against this line, black has played 2...d5, with a middle-game similar to those found from the Scandinavian (1.e4 d5 etc.)

2...d5 seems safest.

Alternative variation: 3.dxe5 Nxe5 4.Nf3, planning Bc4 (which is not possible in the current line because of the d5-e4 pawn chain). I like 3.d5 too, though.

Can the knight go to d4? I suppose so, but after 4.Nf3 it has to exchange itself for the f3 knight, giving white a lead in development. But I don't know anything about the theory of this opening.

3...Nd4 is not playable, as 4.c3 is unpleasant for black. The odd-looking 3...Nb8 is also an option, looking to redeploy the N to d7. With the center closed, black can afford the lost tempo. However, the chosen 3...Nce7 is probably best. I've never played this line, but I think white will maintain a space advantage (and black will be stuck with a cramped position) if white just develops his pieces normally.

I always have trouble when I get cramped like that. I think I prefer Nb8, where my bishop is more mobile and it's more clear how to attack the pawns in the center. But wait...maybe the knight on e7 could go to g6 later. Does it belong on d7 or g6?

I'd wait to see what black was up to before playing this move, as I might want a B on c4 instead of a pawn. White should just develop normally for now, 4.Nf3. Black is the one who has issues finding squares for his pieces.

Pretty much all moves in the opening stage are "boring and expected," as the alternative this early in the game is usually "unsound and losing."

Development is not often exciting.

It is also quite often to move bishop to b4.

6.Nf3 or 6.Bd3 is better, no need to swap off the bishops. White has a space advantage, so trades favor black.

Doubles his pawns unnecessarily and trades bishops before it's clear if he should.

But he compensates that with an open f column and slightly more centre control.

Black has managed to equalize here (with white's help), so you could say that his dubious choice of opening has paid off.

I like white better, despite the doubled pawns. How can black attack the white pawn formation? Looks pretty solid to me...

Premature, but OK. I'd finish developing my pieces first.

What bait? The N on g4 is protected by the Q.

White is still better.