Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Nxd4/4...e5

Löwenthal Variation
a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) r1bqkbnr/pp1p1ppp/2n5/4p3/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5

Löwenthal Variation

The logic behind the move e5 is that Black, instead of delaying e5, hopes to resolve the issue of pawn structure early on. White has to move the d4 Knight; the test to Black's plan is the Nb5 line, putting pressure on the d6 square.

Theory table

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5

	5	6	7
	Nb5 d6	N1c3 Nf6	Bg5 a6	+=
	Nxc6 bxc6	Nc3 Nf6	Bc4 Bb4	=
	Nb3 Nf6	Bg5 h6		=

References

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