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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...Bc5/4. c3

Central variation
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3
ECO code: C64
Parent: Classical variation

4. c3 · Central variation

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4. c3, the Central variation, is the most critical move to the Classical defence in the Spanish game. c3 supports White playing d4, building a big pawn centre and kicking Black's bishop.

4...Nf6 is the most common response. This invites 5. d4, attacking the bishop; or White can castle 5. O-O transposing into the Zukertort gambit.

4...d6? is a common amateur reply, but a mistake. Black pins their own knight, and by preventing the retreat of Black's bishop, it is easy for it to become trapped after 5. d4. (e.g. 5...exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Kf1! Bd7 8. Qa4 a5 9. a3 and Black's bishop is trapped. Or if 5...Bb6 6. d5 Black is losing a knight.)

Gambits

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4...f5!? is the Cordel gambit. Black attacks the e4 pawn, though this isn't as sharp as 3...f5, the Schliemann.

4...d5!? is the Konikowski Gambit.

Theory table

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

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3

2
...
Nge7
=
...
f5
=
...
Nf6
=

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References

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See also

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v · t · e
Chess openings quick reference
1. e4
2. Nf3
With 2...Nc6:
Four knights: ( )
Italian game: ( )
Spanish game: ( )

With other 2nd moves:
2. Other
1... other
1. d4
Flank
Unorthodox