Benidorm Lessons: Don't Delay

IN round one the following standard position from the Accelerated Dragon, via a Hyper-Accelerated move-order, was reached after three moves.

I have just played 3...Nc6

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My opponent confirmed afterwards he was planning to set up a Maróczy Bind, but instead of the immediate 4.d4 he played 4.Nc3.

That is not a bad move as such, but after 4...Bg7 White is unable to get in d4, and so there is no Bind.

Indeed after the further moves 5.Be2 d6 6.0-0 e5!? we had a blocked centre in which the most important pawn-breaks are along the f file.

Position after 6...e5!?

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White's f pawn is obstructed by the king's knight, while Black's is free to advance.

The game continued 7.d3 Nge7, after which Stockfish16 and Komodo14.1 already give Black a tiny edge.

LESSON: a good plan can sometimes become impossible to execute if delayed by just a move.