Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...d5/2. d3

This is a timid reply, usually played only for surprise value or by beginners.

White's e-pawn is defended but it's not ideal: after 2...dxe4 White's d-pawn is pinned to their queen. So, 3. dxe4 Qxd1+ 4.Kxd1= and White has lost castling rights. One alternative for White is to gambit their central pawns instead: 3. Nc3 transposes into the Dunst-Perrenet gambit, where 3...dxe3 4. Bxe3 and White has better piece activity, but it is scant compensation for the loss of both central pawns.

Since White has not put any pressure on Black, they have conceded the initiative and Black has many other options of reply. If both players leave the central tension the position starts to resemble a Philidor defence with colours reversed: 2...Nc6 (controlling e5, so preventing ...Nf3 e5!) 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 e5 5. Be2 is the reverse of the Hanham variation of the Philidor.

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

1. e4 d5 2. d3

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