C20-C22

Center Game

18 named lines in this family, ECO C20-C22. Every one of them opens 1. e4 e5 2. d4, so the notes on those moves are written once, just below, instead of once per line. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.

The moves every line here plays

1. e4 e5 2. d4

1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Center Game.

Main line, through 2. d4C20

1. e4 e5 2. d4

White opens lines quickly, even at the cost of pawns, to get the queen and bishop into the attack early.

Halasz-McDonnell GambitC21

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. f4

An early pawn trade leaves the d-file as White's avenue and the e-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.