Center Game · C22

Hall Variation

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qc4

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

The first 4 moves, explained

• 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.
• 2... exd4 Takes the pawn on d4, toward the centre. Theory calls this the Center Game Accepted.

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