user9809: I just finished reading Logical Chess Move by Move (should have read it before) and I just started with the Classic My System. I'm still on the beginners' part that talks about the center (can't wait to get to the positional chapter) and Nimzowitsch posts a game in which he says Qe2 is stronger. Here is the game.
 [FEN ""]
 1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qe6 5.fxe5 Qxe5 6.Be2

Nimzowitsch says that in the arising position Qe2 is stronger, why? Because we would have a development advantage of one piece? That doesn't look too of an advantage to me? (Note that Qe2 is referring to white's 6th move.)

user70: Be2 makes no threat, leaves g2 undefended, and seals in the Queen.  Black has Bg4 which prevents 6... Bg4 7.Nf3 Bxf3 8.gxf3 as this leaves White with crummy pawns.
Black also has Be7 followed by Bh4, exploiting White's weak black Kingside squares.
Finally, Black also can move either Knight. Black simply has no problems.

9809: <p>I just finished reading Logical Chess Move by Move (should have read it before) and I just started with the Classic <em>My System</em>. I'm still on the beginners' part that talks about the center (can't wait to get to the positional chapter) and Nimzowitsch posts a game in which he says Qe2 is stronger. Here is the game.</p>

<pre><code> [FEN ""]
 1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 Qe6 5.fxe5 Qxe5 6.Be2
</code></pre>

<p>Nimzowitsch says that in the arising position Qe2 is stronger, why? Because we would have a development advantage of one piece? That doesn't look too of an advantage to me? (Note that Qe2 is referring to white's 6th move.)</p>
 70: <p><code>Be2</code> makes no threat, leaves <code>g2</code> undefended, and seals in the Queen.  Black has <code>Bg4</code> which prevents <code>6... Bg4 7.Nf3 Bxf3 8.gxf3</code> as this leaves White with crummy pawns.</p>

<p>Black also has <code>Be7</code> followed by <code>Bh4</code>, exploiting White's weak black Kingside squares.</p>

<p>Finally, Black also can move either Knight. Black simply has no problems.</p>
