Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisV
Hmm that Bb5 line in the Colorado does look pretty gross and looks like exactly what people are likely to play tbh.
As per Chesstempo, d4 is as popular as Bb5 in 2200+ play (there are 37 games for each of the moves), though of course Bb5 scores much better.
However, in the FICS opening DB (the go-to DB for low-level games), Bb5 was only played 19.9% of the time, while d4 was played in 55.9% of cases - with White scoring less than Black.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisV
The saving grace might be that people just robotically play Ba4? in response to a6, by analogy with the Ruy Lopez.
I've never seen Ba4 in this position in DBs. It doesn't look analogous to Ruy Lopez because here, Black can't recapture on c6 with the d-pawn, and perhaps most White players understand it. The position is more analogous to a reversed Nimzo Indian or a sideline of the Moscow Sicilian where the exchange that doubles pawns on the c-file is more or less standard (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. Bxc6+ is OK, though 4. O-O is the most played).
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisV
Is there an alternative to 3 ...d5?
Stockfish 7 slightly prefers 3... d6, though it also runs into Bb5 or even d2-d4-d5. Engines look only at opponent's best responses, though. Against a weak White opponent, 3... d5 is clearly better because then Black often ends up with a formidable centre.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisV
Edit: Actually, given my predilections, what line would you recommend against it as White?
In lack of theory, 4. Bb5 seems the only known line against the Colorado that clearly favours White. So I can't recommend anything else for White besides it.