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New!: Irina Krush has pointed out some analytical flaws in this analysis casting doubt on the strength of the "avoidance" move Qb3.
After 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bb5+ Bd7 4 Bxd7+ Qxd7 5 c4 Nc6 6 Nc3 Nf6 7 0-0 g6 8 d4 cxd4 9 Nxd4 Bg7 10 Nde2
We have reached a Maroczy bind position where not so much is happening. The exchange of a pair of minor pieces ought to have helped Black by relieving his cramp a bit. Personally, I'd be content enough with 10...0-0. But let's look at the forcing 10...Qe6!?
a) 11 Nd5 is sharpest, but I would be ready to take the black pieces after 11...Qxe4 12 Nc7+ Kd7 13 Nxa8 Qxc4.
The king does not look too uncomfortable in the middle. Perhaps the spoiling 14 Nb6+ axb6.
It's an odd
position, but I do not think that Black, with his two central pawns for the
exchange, is any the worse.
b)
11 Qb3 ...
avoids the fireworks, since 11...Nxe4?
is impossible because of 12 Qxb7 Rc8 13 Nxe4.
After 11...Rb8?!
12 f3, I am not sure what 10...Qe6 was all in aid of, since we shall soon have to shift the queen from there.
So...on to 11...0-0
12 Qxb7 . Now 12...Na5?
will not do because of 13 Qa6 Nxc4 14 Nf4 and
wins.
14...Qc8 in the above illustrated position - but this is academic because of the
following point made:
Irina Krush writes: "I think 12...Na5 is
maybe wrong because of 13.Qb5 Nxc4 14.Nd4! Qc8 15.Nc6
so better 12...Rfc8. Irina"
which is what GM Plaskett points out next....
But 12...Rfc8!
leaves white with no method of hanging on to his extra pawn, and Black with a perfectly adequate game.
So White cannot win a pawn after 11...0-0, but he can hope to erect a useful Maroczy bind with 12 f3
(since 12...Na5 13 Qb4 Nxc4? loses to 14 Nf4).
Correction by Irina Krush: Does not lose because 14...Qc8 here
I suspect that this is White's best try for an advantage, but, as I say, it was a quiet opening, and Black should equalize alright.
From this position we shall almost certainly soon see both queens swiftly redeployed.