Is C-Z viable with colours reversed Vs 1.d4 2.c4/Nf3

[lucioperca]

Hi,

I enjoy playing the C-Z as white - but I have a question about using the C-Z as black in response to 1.d4 2.c4 or 1.d4 2.Nf3:

What are the downside[s] to basically playing the C-Z a move down from the black side against QG/QP, and are there any move order subtleties that help in trying to achieve this as black?

[Rudel]

I thought about doing this...but in the end you just end up playing a version of the QID.

One problem is that you end up having to play ....e6 early [since you don't want White to get e4 in, and you probably don't want to play 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6

And that shows a big problem...White has to work very hard in the C-Z not to let Black equalize early with ...c5, but White is going to get to play c4 pretty well free of charge if you try to run the C-Z from Black's side.


Sorry I don't have better news for you.

[lucioperca]

Thanks David,
I re-read the Zuke 'Em (1st ed.) QID chapter and the downside of a Black C-Z is more apparent now.

The trouble is that I very rarely have to play against the QG [Disclaimer: I play mainly online std games - I am ~1800 on FICS]. In fact, I would say 9/10 times I play Black I am responding to 1. e4 (doing very well with Classical B01).

So every now and then I come up against QG/QP and usually play 2..Bf5, and have been doing fine. I know the Baltic is supposed to be a bust, but I am scoring pretty well with it (lots of over-reaching by White). Trouble is that I know the honeymoon will not last forever as I continue to play higher rated opponents. I have already been burnt a couple of times lately...

Since I like playing 1..d5, I guess I will have to stop being lazy and learn some QGD/Slav theory!

By the way, I really enjoyed Zuke 'Em and am a C-K convert due to it.