Early pawn exchange on d4

[MarcJ]

I just bought Zuke 'Em and am enjoying learning the CZ immensely. I am a beginner (USCF 1250) and have never really used any kind of organized opening system before. I am happy to report that I won my first rated game this past week using this opening and look forward to learning it solidly.

In any case, I was playing a game as White on my Palm Pilot (Chess Tiger) and ran across the following:

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3 Nc6 6. O-O cxd4 7. exd4 Bd6 8. Bb2 Ng4 9. h3 Nf6 10. Ne5 Qc7 11. f4 Qb6

I haven't finished the book yet but I looked at the index of variations in the back and couldn't find one where Black takes d4 this early in the game. What should White's plan be? Also, after Black's 11th move, White's d4 pawn is pinned which can allow Black to take the N/e5 and the f4 pawn once it captures on e5. What would be the best continuance?

Thanks!

[Rudel]

MarcJ Wrote:I haven't finished the book yet but I looked at the index of variations in the back and couldn't find one where Black takes d4 this early in the game. What should White's plan be? Also, after Black's 11th move, White's d4 pawn is pinned which can allow Black to take the N/e5 and the f4 pawn once it captures on e5. What would be the best continuance?

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum, Marc!

Normally, the exchange on d4 helps White because White can put his Queen on e2, putting a key extra defender on e4 and exerting latent pressure on e6 (pressure against that pawn is surprisingly effective in terms of keeping Black tied up).

Sometimes Re1 can work instead, but Qe2 is a solid choice.

With regard to ...Qb6, that move is less an issue after the exchange on d4 (since there is no longer the danger of ...c4, trying to use the pin against the b3-pawn). A recent discussion about this play can be found on this thread.

[MarcJ]

Thank you, David!