Annotated chess game

d5 is a very uncommon move here, because white has the possibility to exchange a side-pawn for an enemy's center pawn (d and e are the central pawns). Also, if black recaptures, white can win a tempo playing Nc3. More common answers for 1. c4 are: Nf6, e5, e6, c5, g6, c6 and f5, being g6 and e5 the best ratio moves for black.

Here the best option for black is not to take immediately, but to play Nf6.

3. .. Qd8 or Qa5 are the most common responses in this kind of games, but another and interesting move here is Qd6 (being played lately, specially in Blitz games)

I think that's true. he has one piece out of the way of his rook and the knight is in play. Classic develop-with-attack by white. The move to look at as causing trouble is probably 1. ...d5. GK "world" database gameknot.com shows alternatives and also that black has not done well with 1. ...d5. Not popular. In addition to any tempo issues, that was a potentially powerful pawn. Pete, otoh, has both central pawns. The loss of your d-pawn means you don't have as much potential influence over e5, c5, e4 and c4 as you would have and that, possibly, other pieces may have to compensate instead of being put to THEIR best use. On the other hand, maybe you can make good use of the open d-file. will read further, probably over the weekend.

playing with pawn moves before the main pieces are developed. Allows white to take control of the central space. space control = free movement of pieces

If you planned to play g6, then you should have played since 1. .. g6, instead of d5.

haven't looked at it closely yet. and of course that is a good square for the bishop. but I wonder if there is anything gained by playing ...c5 before putting the B on g7.

Yes with hindsight this is the point I needed to act to stop whites ultra mobile centre. I guess it's back to basics for me in the openings! - Snowman.

I daresay Black's opening was something of an experiment, which is fair enough. But it does leave Black with a problem to solve in the centre, having given up a centre pawn for a centre-flank one, and conceded two tempi as well. I had a look at the database on this, and it is not encouraging. In my view developing the bishop this way is a further concession in time. I'd probably play 4.e6, but that leaves Black with the problem of his light-square bishop (LSB) - where to place that? In future, if White plays the English (1.c4) I suggest play something else, not 1...d5.

It's a good move Bg7 now. A chess principle says that if you are preparing a fianchetto with b3 or g3 (b6 or g6 with blacks) you should immediately play the bishop to the fianchetto after. White is ahead in the develop, space control and center control.. but that's because of the 1. .. d5 move plus the Qxd5 move.

Contrast the two sides here! Black will have to play some tall chess to survive, methinks.

another pawn move. This time also taking the Ns best square

Candidate moves here: Nf6 and c5!? You must do something about that centre. c6 is a third option as well.

finally some development

The best move you could do here

This move is intended to prepare White's next move - to develop his Queen's Bishop to e3 without being harassed by ...Ng4.

9. ..b6 - better is b5 which opens lines for B & Q plus it gains space

Bigpeta is right, better 9. .. b5. Now c-column has been weakened and you got nothing from b-pawn.

I think I dismissed b5 because I didn't want the backward pawn on c6. after your comments though I see the plusses.

Yes. Black really has got to tame that centre, but doesn't have much in his arsenal to do it. I really must try to contest the centre much earlier in the future. - Snowman

I think black is doing all the right things and that white's advantage still traces mainly back to that opening move, which has led to white's strong presence in the center. those side-by-side pawn of his are strong. white has access to his 4th rank while black does not have the same access to his, those pawns controlling f5, e5, d5, and c5 as they do. And look at white's knights and bishops aimed at g5 and b5. Yow! white has a very strong influence on your 4th rank, his 5th. Now white is no doubt planning how to exploit this, gaining more space and mobility for himself while limiting black's. [note: this comment was above. but I edited it for cosmetics and it moved below snowman's response]

Another option here is Na6 heading up to Nb4 or Nc7.

Having kept the c-pawn back at c6 so far, maybe this further advance could have waited a bit longer. The problem of the LSB having been dealt with, 11...e6 seems to be called for, inhibiting d4-d5, and if 12.e5 the Knight comes in at d5. Once ...e6 has been played, Black can seriously contemplate a ...c5 strike at the centre.

Alternative moves: Ne8 or Na6. Still a very difficult position, white has an strong centre.

Thanks all comments so far have been very helpful...I quite fancy e6 herealthough the knight manouvre is very interesting too.