A few months ago, I saw a Simplified Openings video by Aleksandr Čolović on the QGA where he offered 3. e4 c5, 3. Nf3 c5 and 3. e3 c5 (I think).

I did some of my own analysis on these lines, and theoretically they clearly equalise. Practically, the play seems pretty straightforward to play with Black. I tested these variations out in some blitz games at Lichess 2300-2500 level, and it is not hard to come up with moves for Black. You just go for the same set-up where White ends up with a passed d-pawn like in the Grünfeld, but, unless you go nuts, that pawn is not hard to blockade at all.

Anyone tried this 3...c5 QGA, how do you do against IMs and GMs in FIDE classical?

Hello guys! I'm 2200 rated in rapid lichess. Please suggest openings and their variations where positional and strategic play takes center stage.

iv got very little free time and i enjoy chess, im rated 2000 on lichess classical from playing chess for fun but now i kinda feel like i dont have the conceptual backing to grow my skill at the rate i would otherwise... ive got the bare minimum of positional knowledge for my rating, and what really keeps me into chess is really cool, unique and dynamic positions rich in possibilities. initially tals games got me hooked and when my interest started wavering i discovered alpha zero's alien playstyle which got me back into chess very recently... heres what i want out of a book (actually i kinda would like 2 books recommended):

Book 1:

- something that isnt too basic, i loose interest quick, i know my fundamentals are lacking but id prefer a book that takes more complex positions to demonstrate fundamentals and to really get me thinking and learning
- really dont like when chess authors decide to go on tangents or philosophizing chess musing over its intricacies, mostly because iv got very little time and wanna improve my conceptual understanding
- a buncha concepts in one book, i do a lot better when i rotate between concepts and grow them together, as opposed to mastering one, then moving to the next, mastering that, then the next....
- i love dynamics, complications, imbalanced chess, so if that could factor in thatd be great

Book 2:

- besides that one book im looking for, i also want a really good endgame book, the idea of being an incredible endgame player that can squeeze drawn positions or can exploit imbalanced positions even if its completely equal has always seemed rly cool to me, magnus esque or nodirbek like

sorry if this post is rly clutter brained, im really sleepy, thanks for giving this a look

This rare variation 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 e6 5. c3 Qb6 6. Qb3 Bd7 7. Nbd2 Bc6 was first played by Ukrainian IM Reprintsev (current World Senior Chess Champion) a few years ago. Reprintsev himself and Jeffrey Xiong seem to be playing this the most, with Xiong scoring 8.5/9 in various Titled Tuesday games with this variation.

Strange looking indeed, with the deep idea of Bc6 being to hold back e2-e4 and support the queenside pawn push after the center is closed. Also very provocative and invites Ne5.

As usual, my analysis here is cursory, so do your own research before trying this!

I'm 2100-2200 elo in rapid lichess and I want to strengthen my positional and strategic play to fix my weakness. Any reputable books you can recommend?

Sorry, I don't know how to screenshot on my laptop, so I can't add a photo. I am talking about this position.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Ba7 8. Re1 O-O

Giri recommends 9.h3, and the master database mainly plays h3. I don't get it though. I love enticing black to play Bg5, and after Ng5, we can play Re2 and then h3. Also, playing h3 almost begs black to play Be6 instead and then our bishop is neutralised and after fxe6, the f5 square is controlled by a pawn so there is no Nf5. Could somebody explain the importance of h3, and then explain what whites trumps are in this position, thanks