Chess Opening Theory/1. c3/1...c5

Saragossa Opening

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If white plays 2.e4 it is a transposition to the Alapin. You can keep this as unique Saragossa theory by playing 2.d4, but this is also likely to transpose into a London System with c5 and cxd4. This is considered as a bad opening as it hinders white's immediate piece development and is rarely seen in master games. In the Lichess Masters Database this line (1.c3 c5) has only appeared 27 times.

Theory Table

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1.c3 c5
2 3
Transposition to the Sicilian Alapin e4

...

...

...

=
d4

cxd4

cxd4

d5

=
e3

Nf6

d4

d5

Nf3

d5

d4
... b4

References

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  • Lichess masters database
  • Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.