Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nc3
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
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| Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 | |
| ECO code: C10-C19 | |
| Parent: French defence | |
3. Nc3 · Paulsen variation
[edit | edit source]3. Nc3 is White's most popular move against the French at the top level, and is considered the most challenging option. White develops a piece and keeps the diagonals open for both bishops (unlike 3. Nd2, the Tarrasch Variation), as well as putting pressure on the d5 pawn and protecting the e4 pawn. Black has three main options now: 3...Nf6 (The Classical Variation), 3...Bb4 (The Winawer Variation), 3...dxe4 (The Rubinstein Variation).
3...Nc6, the Hecht-Reefschlaeger, is the main sideline with plans that deviate quite significantly from the usual French defence. There is also the dubious 3...c5?!, entering either the Marshall Gambit of the French or a variation of the Sicilian.
Theory table
[edit | edit source]1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3
| 3 | 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical variation | ... Nf6 |
e5 Nd7 |
= |
| ... ... |
Bg5 Be7 |
= | |
| Winawer variation | ... Bb4 |
e5 c5 |
= |
| Rubinstein variation | ... dxe4 |
Nxe4 Nd7 |
= |
| Hecht-Reefschlaeger | ... Nc6 |
Nf3 Nf6 |
= |
| Marshall gambit | ... c5 |
Nf3 cxd4 |
± |
References
[edit | edit source]- Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.
With 2...g6:
With other 2nd moves for Black:
Dutch defence