Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...Bc5/4. c3
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
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Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 | |
ECO code: C64 | |
Parent: Classical variation |
4. c3 · Central variation
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source].
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3
2 | ||
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... Nge7 |
= | |
... f5 |
= | |
... Nf6 |
= |
References
[edit | edit source]See also
[edit | edit source]With 2...g6:
With other 2nd moves for Black: