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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nc3

Paulsen variation
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3
ECO code: C10-C19
Parent: French defence

3. Nc3 · Paulsen variation

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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

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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

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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: