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
edit2. c4
edit2. 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.
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
- Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.