08-03-2012, 07:48 PM
1.c4 e5
2.g3 Nc6
3.Nc3 g6
4.Bg2 Bg7
5.d3 d6
6.e4 h5
7.h4
![[Image: 4thjm3l1on7x.png]](http://www.chessvideos.tv/bimg/4thjm3l1on7x.png)
Spoiler here>> h5 was certainly unexpected. I am out of 'theory', but I still have a point of reference: As Black against the closed sicilian, I play: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be3 e5
And 7.h4 is certainly not a critical move in that position, even though it is a full tempo up on our game with reversed colours.
If I continue with the Botvinnik plan 7.Nge2, then 7...h4 feels a bit unpleasant. Black can open the h-file whenever he wants. 7.h3 is often a normal move in this sort of situation, with the idea of meeting 7...h4 with 8.g4, but here it seems this would only block in my light-squared bishop. And Black can exchange his bad bishop straight away with 8...Bh6.
So 7.h4, basically by a process of elimination. The g4 square is weakened, but Black has also weakened g5. This is very relevant in case either side tries to push their f-pawn 2 squares forward, which would leave a big hole open for a knight. I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do next, I'll wait for his reply and then try to work it out. <<Spoiler here
2.g3 Nc6
3.Nc3 g6
4.Bg2 Bg7
5.d3 d6
6.e4 h5
7.h4
Spoiler here>> h5 was certainly unexpected. I am out of 'theory', but I still have a point of reference: As Black against the closed sicilian, I play: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be3 e5
And 7.h4 is certainly not a critical move in that position, even though it is a full tempo up on our game with reversed colours.
If I continue with the Botvinnik plan 7.Nge2, then 7...h4 feels a bit unpleasant. Black can open the h-file whenever he wants. 7.h3 is often a normal move in this sort of situation, with the idea of meeting 7...h4 with 8.g4, but here it seems this would only block in my light-squared bishop. And Black can exchange his bad bishop straight away with 8...Bh6.
So 7.h4, basically by a process of elimination. The g4 square is weakened, but Black has also weakened g5. This is very relevant in case either side tries to push their f-pawn 2 squares forward, which would leave a big hole open for a knight. I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do next, I'll wait for his reply and then try to work it out. <<Spoiler here