3. d5 would have been much stronger than 3. dxc5?!. 2...c5 is essentially a Benoni response (an opening I'm fond of), although I don't know if it's technically still a Benoni after 2. Bf4. The d5 push is thematic for white against the Benoni.

All 3. dxc5 achieves, as you pointed out, is to exchange a central pawn for the c-pawn, and since it will inevitably be recaptured with development by black, there is no tempo advantage in capturing versus pushing the pawn.

Thanks.

very nice match

i enjoyed going through the analyzis it was well explained so that even i understood the moves

i'll be keeping track of your blog..thanks

peterwaffles ,

I was a college math instructor for several years before I went into geophysics as a profession.  I love to teach and to share the tremendous thrill of analyzing chess positions and actually getting a chance to win a game.  This game was tense and exciting and then suddenly, it was over, but what an adrenalin high when I saw the check at d2 and the fork at b3!

Your chess instructor,  Sam

Beautiful combination at the end. Would have never thought of it.

What a treat to watch. The coments make the whole thing an into an experience. like a seminar.

Looking into 3. d5, focus on how it impedes your development and you'll see the extra pawn move is worth it.

Woa

Thanks for the kind analysis and sharing.

ArtsyFartsy ,

Of course, I personally checked the master DB and saw that after 4. Qd4?!, Qa5+! wins the c-pawn and leaves white with no wins at the master level!  I forgot to mention that Qa5+ wins for black and I apologize!

Sincerely,  Sam

drieper ,

I agree that even though b4 was an attempt at a white improvement , it turns out to be weaker than the Bc4 that it replaced.  Your comments are correct.  It should be avoided in the future and is not a T.N. because it does not improve present theory.  Many of us try new moves that turn out to be weak; it is a normal part of chess!

Thanks,  Sam

chessrobo ,

Thank you for the positive feedback,  Sam

i dont like whites reply on some lines Nb6 is obious why he didint see it?

but maybe because of early moves everything suffers as wesly so confirmed to us opening is 90 percent  on his preparation the rest is tactics and theory

Why is 4. Qd4 not good? It won't get hit with the usual Nc6 anymore ...

6.b4 seems a bit illogical as it leaves the c file vulnerable for no gain (gaining a tempo doesn't mean much if you are not improving your position in some way). Nice exploitation of that weakness from black.

good game, good analysis

jamesjddongchess ,

I want you to put these instructive games into Chessbase just like I do.  Remember that black has an 85% win rate in the master DB after 4. .. N:c5!  This is a sound line against dc5!

PoliticalMusic ,

I am one of the few bloggers who is honest enough to share his thoughts during the game because I am a teacher who is trying to improve the play of my students!  I thank you for your appreciative comments.

Philip_Lu ,

Since you appreciate these fine chess lessons, I am inviting you to join my friends' list.

Kingfisher ,

Thanks for your warning.  I did not look at d5 because moving the pawn twice appears weak.  I promise to investigate the position.

Thanks to everyone who commented,  Sam

You really don't need to be scared of 3.dxc5?!

But you should be terrified of 3.d5!

I done it once. It resulted in a lost game on move 11. And I played until checkmate!

very nice.

Man that was really good analysis.  I appreciate it.