<TCE: You mentioned the line 12. Re1 Bf5. In the game you cited after 13. Nc3 c5 14. e6 fxe6 white tried 15. g4 which weakens his king’s position for the sake of attack. This move leads to massive complications that worked out favorably for white, but I’m not sure black played the best moves. In this type of position where black has good development I’d hesitate to play like this. If I have to face this I’ll probably choose the simpler 15. Bxe6+ Kh8 when 16. Nb5 looks strong. For example 16...Qh4 17. Nc7 Rad8 18. Bxf5 Rxf5 19. Ne6 Re5 20. Qf1 Rdd5 21. Nxg7 Rxe1 22. Qxe1 Kxg7 23. b3! and whites DSB will become a monster.

15. Bxe6+ Bxe6 16. Qxe6+ Kh8 17. Ne4 Qd5 18. Ng5 Rad8 19. c3 Nc4 20. Qxd5 Rxd5 21. Ne6 Rf7 22. b3 Nd6 23. Nxg7 Kxg7 24. c4 is similar. Any suggestions?>

I am not sure why black played 13... c5. I'd rather develop the last undeveloped piece with 13... Rad8 or move the queen to a better place like with 13... Qh4.

The position is however interesting after 15. Bxe6+.

I don't like Bxe6, as black really does not earn anything exchanging the bishops. I find your variation correct and I think it would give a better position for white.

I preferred to analyse your first line. I think you are right. 16. Nb5 proves to be strong. The unavoidable loss of black's DSB makes life difficult for black: the dark square around the king are weakened and the position is rather open for white to plan an attack.

However in 16...Qh4 17. Nc7 Rad8 18. Bxf5 Rxf5 19. Ne6 Re5 20. Qf1 Rdd5 21. Nxg7 Rxe1, I think 19...Re5 is a mistake for black.

As white I would not hesitate to trade my queen for two rooks with two open files and an isolated pawn in front. Thus with 20. Qxe5 Bxe5 21.Bxe5 Nxd8, white stands even better than with 16...Qh4 17. Nc7 Rad8 18. Bxf5 Rxf5 19. Ne6 Rd7 20. Nxg7 which would be a better continuation for black.

Here is some analysis.

12. Re1 Bf5 13. Nc3 Rad8 14. Bg5! Qc5 (Rfe8 15. e6 Bxe6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Qxe6+ Kh8 18. Rad1 Rd6 19. Qf7 Rf8 20. Qxf8+ Bxf8 21. Rxd4 Rxd4 22. Bxe7) 15. Qb5 Qxb5 16. Nxb5 c6 17. Nxa7 Ra8 18. Be3 Nd5 19. Bc5 (19. Bxd5 cxd5 20. Bd4 Bxc2 21. Rac1 Bf5 22. Rc7 looks pretty good to) Rfd8 20. a4 followed by a5 etc.

What is the idea behind 13...Qh4?

<franskfranz: I see the position as equal after 11 ...Qxd4.>

After 11...Qxd4 black has three pieces developed while white has two pieces developed and a pawn on e5. Lets look at the position. Black's DSB is being blocked out by white's pawn on e5, black's Q will soon be kicked away with tempo, and black's knight is probably misplaced. White has a strong LSB and a well supported e-pawn which gives white more space and attacking possibilities. My impression is that black is struggling a bit in this line.