Now, the only moves for black considered at this point are:
6 ... Nc5
6 ... Qa5+
These moves seem to lead to an unsatisfactory position for black. I was
wondering what is wrong with the obvious 6 ... d5.
I can see a couple of obvious line from there, but nothing that leads
black into trouble. The advantages of this move seem to me to be that
1) it allows black to move the d pawn when it often cannot in this variation
(e.g. continuing from this line 7 ed Nxd6) 2) if the d pawn is not taken
en passant, then black has a fairly strong central position and the possibility
of quick development (with the problem of white's pawn on e5 remaining, of
course, but you can't have everything :-).
But, clearly, this is not some sort of revolutionary insight on my part. This
is a straightforward move consistent with the way that other situations arising
in the Petroff are dealt with (the difference being the absence of a supporting pawn on c7). This has certainly been considered and rejected sufficiently
thoroughly/obviously that it doesn't even merit a note showing the disastrous
(or at least unsavory) continuation. Any help that any of you could provide
in showing me where this move lets black in for trouble would be very much
appreciated (a proof that this is a brilliant move and a dubbing of this as
the "Henken variation" would be even better but again, you can't have every-
