Best way to enter PA?

[dmp4373]

Over the years I have played both the C-Z and C-K and came to the conclusion that the C-Z was much stronger, especially if White is willing to play an early c2-c4 against Black's best lines.

However, the PA is dynamic and forceful, and seems to give Black even more oportunities to go wrong.

My initial impression is that, if White intends to play the PA, it's better to enter it through a C-K move order instead of the C-Z. It seems more clear cut and forcing via the C-K. I'm not as familiar as David is on this and admit I could be wrong. So my question to David Rudel is whether he agrees that entering the PA through the C-K is better, or it doesn't matter?

[Rudel]

dmp4373 Wrote:Over the years I have played both the C-Z and C-K and came to the conclusion that the C-Z was much stronger, especially if White is willing to play an early c2-c4 against Black's best lines.

However, the PA is dynamic and forceful, and seems to give Black even more oportunities to go wrong.

My initial impression is that, if White intends to play the PA, it's better to enter it through a C-K move order instead of the C-Z. It seems more clear cut and forcing via the C-K. I'm not as familiar as David is on this and admit I could be wrong. So my question to David Rudel is whether he agrees that entering the PA through the C-K is better, or it doesn't matter?

Hi there, and welcome to the forum!

In reality, the question is not "which opening should you enter the PA through" but rather "which Phoenix Attack" do you want.

I have now come to the conclusion that the power of dxc4 and b4 are the best way to play both the C-Z and the C-K, but you get slightly different positions from them.

The Zukertort-Phoenix arises after
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6
4.Bd3 c5 5.b3 Nc6 6. 0-0 Bd6
7.Bb2 0-0 8.dxc5! Bxc5 9.a3

The Koltanowski-Phoenix arises after
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 e6 4.
Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6
7. 0-0 0-0 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. b4!

Indepth analysis on the Zukertort version will be in the next revision of Zuke Em [I"ve already posted it here as an "update" though.

Indepth analysis of the Koltanowski version will be in an upcoming book devoted to the line.

Having looked at both, I think the Zukertort is slightly better theoretically but the Koltanowski version is easier to prepare for because the types of positions and prevalent strategic ideas are less diverse.

It's important to keep in mind that an equally important issue is which move order deals best with pet defenses. In that regard I believe that C-K players probably have an easier time there, especially if my claim that 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 e6 4.Nbd2 is a valid move order turns out to be true.

The two issues I see with regard to non-mainlines are:
i) C-K player who use Nbd2 before Bd3 get better play against early Q-side fianchetto setups [without ...c5 but with ....d5]
ii) The C-K player using the Phoenix can use it against both the ...Bd6 and ...Be7 lines (so long as Black has played ...Nc6), while things for the C-Z player are not quite as clear since there is no need for him to play ...Bxc5 if he has played ...Be7, but rather he can play ...Nd7! instead. This is rather annoying because the ...Nc6/...Be7 line is actually pretty darn good for Black!

I hope the above makes sense...feel free to ask about anything that is unclear.

[dmp4373]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have a bias towards direct and forcing play which is why I assumed the C-K version of the PA would be better. After your explanation, I do think the C-K version would be better for me, but now understand that it is ultimately a matter of playing style, not positions.

Also, I just re-read Module 2 from THE MOMENT OF ZUKE to familiarize myself with your idea that in the C-K, it is better to play Nbd2 before Bd3. And I'm certainly looking forward to your new book on the Koltanowski version of the PA.

[Rudel]

It might be a while before the PA book is out...and in fact I'd love to see some games here to put in it. If you use the PA,especially in a tourney game, please post and it might show up in the book.