Quote:
Originally Posted by aflametotheground
4 Be7 allows 5.d5 with idea of e2-e4. So when it comes to this i was thinking two things
1) i should not be doing too many pawn moves early on, just try get my piece out or i will end up behind.
2) if i advance my centerpawns this much i might overextend, making holes and weaknesses and all that i gain is that he is forced to move his knight.
I think these are useful general principles, but the specifics of the situation override them.
1) d4-d5 comes with tempo, and you need to move a pawn to develop the light-squared bishop anyway. These aren't wasteful moves.
2) He's forced to move his knight to a terrible square: b8 and a5 suck, and 5...Nb4 (with the idea of Nb4-a6-c5 at some point) isn't the worst maneuver in the world, in theory, but here it's tactically gross in view of 6. e4, threatening 7. e5, where 6...d6 isn't possible because of 7. Qa4+ winning the knight. 6...0-0 7. e5 Ne8 8. a3 Na6 and Black's position isn't enviable.
Yes, you are accepting a possible structural weakness (overextended pawns), but in return, you get a dynamic strength (space, piece activity, a developmental advantage, the ability to relegate Black's pieces to ridiculous squares, and/or a slew of tactical threats that could win material) that should more than compensate for it.