Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. c4/2...c5/3. d5/3...Ne4

Black centralises their knight. When White played d5 they reduced their control over the e4 square. One of Black plans is control of e4: rerouting their knight to d6 so that they can play ...f5. Usually these lines give White a comfortable advantage.

If this induces 4. f3!? to kick the knight immediately, 4...Qa5+ 5. Nc3? to block the check is a mistake, allowing 5...Nxc3 6. bxc3 and equality. Black can go pawn hunting (6...Qxc3+ 7. Bd2 Qxc4 8. e4 Qd4) though the engine line is to focus on developing, forcing White to develop passively and guard the weak pawns (6...g6 7. Bd2 Bg7 8. Qb3 d6 9. e4 O-O).

4. Qc2 is the main continuation, then 4...Qa5+. Either knight move can block the check:

• 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. Bd2 e5 7. Bxc3 Qc7⩲, or
• 5. Nd2 (where it is supported by the bishop) Nd6 and White has the choice of 6. b3 (the engine move) f5 ⩲ or 6. e4 g6 ⩲.
• 5. Bd2? Nxd2 = just gives up the bishop pair.

The Vulture defence was so named by Stefan Bücker, who published analysis of it and two other lines in the Benoni in 1989. Against Nf3 he suggested ...c4!?, the Hawk; against Nc3 he suggested ...Qa5?!, the Woozle; and against c4 he suggested ...Ne4, the Vulture.^[1]

By 1998 the opening had become "quite popular".^[2]:55-57 It may arise from the Old Benoni move order 1. d4 c5 2. d5 Nf6 3. c4 Ne4 or the modern Benoni 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 Ne4.

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

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