Hippopotamus Defense · B00
Main line, after 2. d4
1. e4 Nh6 2. d4 g6 3. c4 f6
In the centre, White holds d4 and e4.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... Nh6 Develops the knight to h6. It backs up the pawn on f7. Theory calls this the Hippopotamus Defense.
- 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 2 in the Hippopotamus Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.