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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. e5/3...c5

Advance variation
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5
ECO code: C02
Parent: Advance variation

3...c5

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Black's plan is straightforward: they want to eliminate White's pawn chain, and after doing so, will find it easier to develop the pieces of their kingside to good squares. 3...c5 attacks the base of the pawn chain.

Although White's d-pawn is already defended once by the queen, if White allows Black to take on d4 their e-pawn becomes loose and hard to defend.[1] Much better would be for White to retake on d4 with a pawn.

Therefore, 4. c3 is the main line. If 4...cxd4 5. cxd4 and White has replaced their d-pawn and Black's position will be just as cramped as it was before. So, if Black hopes to eliminate the pawn on d4 permanently, they must bring more pressure with ...Nc6 and ...Qb6.

4. Nf3, the Nimzowitsch system, supports the centre while developing a piece instead. This allows Black to undermine the pawn chain, as if Black takes on d4 (either next or after ...Nc6) Nxd4 doesn't solve the problem of the loose e5 pawn. However, this is usually played with the idea of not taking back straight away but prioritising development: 4...Nc6 5. Bd3 cxd4 6. O-O, or 4...cxd4 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. O-O. The knight continues to support e5 from f3.

4. Qg4?, the Nimzowitsch attack or gambit, similarly has the idea of sacrificing the d4-pawn in order to gain kingside initiative as a compensation.

Taking the pawn, 4. dxc5?, the Steinitz variation, concedes the pawn centre as Black wished. Black recovers the pawn easily enough while developing with ...Bxc5. Perhaps White intends keeping c3 available for the knight and supporting the e5 pawn with f4, a la the classical French also named for Steinitz, 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 which may continue 4...Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. dxc5 Bxc5.[2]

Theory table

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

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Advance variation c3
Nc6
Nf3
Bd7
Be2
Nge7
Na3
cxd4
cxd4
Nf5
Nc2
Qb6
O-O
Rc8
=
Nimzowitsch system Nf3
Nc6
Bd3
cxd4
O-O =
Steinitz variation dxc5?
Nc6
Nf3
Bxc5
Bd3
f6
Qe2
fxe5
Nxe5
Nxe5
Qxe5
Nf6
Nimzowitsch attack Qg4?
cxd4
Nf3
Nc6
Bd3
Qc7?!
Bf4
Nge7
O-O
Ng6

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References

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  1. e.g. 4. Nc3? cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 (attacks the queen and e5) 6. Qf4 (only move to keep contact with the e5 pawn. 6. Qe3?? d4! forks queen and knight) d4 7. Ne4 Qa5+ 8. Bd2 Qxe5 9. Qxe5 Nxe5.
  2. e.g. Steinitz v Vazquez (1888) - Chessgames.com

See also

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v · t · e
Chess Opening Theory
1. e4 e5
Open game
2. Nf3
With 2...Nc6:
  • Four knights ( )
  • Italian game ( )
  • Spanish game ( )

With other 2nd moves:

2. Other
1. e4 c5
Sicilian defence
1. e4 ...other: