ModernChess, Opening Databases, Feb 08 2022.
I am happy to present a highly topical and very sound repertoire for White which is based on 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4.
In my opinion, there is room for new ideas and concepts in this still relatively less explored line. Modern practice shows that players of all levels can play 3.h4 with both colors. Almost all the lines lead to a full-blooded game where it's slightly easier to play with White. One of the main points behind 3.h4 is to prevent Black from obtaining a favorable version of the Gruenfeld.
There is an additional factor that contributes to the rising popularity of the entire concept with h2-h4. The new generation of neural network-based engines made us reconsider the advance of the rook pawn in almost every position. For example, in the games of Alpha Zero, we can often see the h-pawn going all the way to h6 at an early stage of the game. Besides restricting the opponent's pieces and providing space in the middle game, this pawn is a tremendous asset in every endgame. In the current database, you will see this concept on multiple occasions.
The current database consists of 6 theoretical chapters, and 10 test positions.