Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. c4
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indian Defence[edit | edit source]
2. c4[edit | edit source]
2. c4 strengthens White's control of the center, particularly the important d5 square. It also allows White's queenside knight to develop to the active c3 square without blocking the c-pawn.
Black has a number of possibilities at this point:
- 2...e6 – This move is solid and flexible. Depending on how white plays, Black will end up in a Queen's Indian, Nimzo-Indian, Bogo-Indian, Queen's Gambit Declined, Benoni, or a Catalan.
- 2...g6 – This tends to be more aggressive (and riskier), though still solid if one knows the important strategic points. Black has the choice to move into a King's Indian Defence (KID) (regardless of white's play) or possibly a Grünfeld if White plays 3. Nc3 and Black wishes.
- 2...c5 – This will likely end up being a Benoni (often aggressive, risky), Benko Gambit (positional pawn sacrifice by Black on queenside), a symmetrical English (a bit quieter, but active pieces), or even a Tarrasch QGD (active for both sides).
- 2...d6 – This is the so-called "Old Indian," and it can either transpose into a KID or follow less popular lines with a strategy similar to the KID.
- 2...e5 – The Budapest Gambit. It has a unique character and often allows Black active play. White usually gives the pawn back eventually, and usually gets a slightly better position, but Black can do well against an unprepared opponent.
- 2...d5 – The Marshall Defence. This is not the best idea, though not an absolute trap. Several opening encyclopedias give this a clear advantage to White if played right.
- 2...c6 – The rare Slav Indian, looking for a transposition to the Slav Defence. White typically allows this with 3. Nc3 or 3. Nf3, but can refuse with 3. Bf4.
Theory table[edit | edit source]
.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's Indian Defence | c4 g6 |
Nc3 Bg7 |
e4 d6 |
Nf3 O-O |
Be2 e5 |
= |
| Grunfeld Defence | ... ... |
... d5 |
cxd5 Nxd5 |
e4 Nxc3 |
bxc3 Bg7 |
= |
| Benoni Defence | ... c5 |
d5 e6 |
Nc3 exd5 |
cxd5 d6 |
e4 g6 |
+/= |
| Queen's Indian Defence | ... e6 |
Nf3 b6 |
a3 Bb7 |
Nc3 d5 |
cxd5 Nxd5 |
+/= |
| Bogo-Indian Defence | ... ... |
... Bb4+ |
Bd2 Qe7 |
g3 Nc6 |
Nc3 Bxc3 |
+/= |
| Nimzo-Indian Defence | ... ... |
Nc3 Bb4 |
e3 O-O |
Bd3 d5 |
Nf3 c5 |
= |
| Catalan Opening | ... ... |
g3 d5 |
Bg2 dxc4 |
Nf3 Be7 |
O-O O-O |
= |
| Black Knights' Tango | ... Nc6 |
Nf3 e6 |
a3 d6 |
Nc3 g6 |
e4 Bg7 |
+/= |
| Budapest Gambit | ... e5 |
dxe5 Ng4 |
Bf4 Nc6 |
Nf3 Bb4+ |
Nbd2 Qe7 |
+= |
| Old Indian Defence | ... d6 |
Nc3 e5 |
Nf3 Nbd7 |
e4 Be7 |
+/= | |
| Marshall Defence | ... d5 |
cxd5 Nxd5 |
Nf3 Bf5 |
Qb3 | +/= |
References[edit | edit source]
- Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
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