Hungarian Opening

Main lineA00

1. g3

No pawn stands on d4, e4, d5 or e5 - this line is played with the centre squares empty.

Dutch DefenseA00

1. g3 f5

• 1... f5 Fights for e4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Dutch Defense.

Indian DefenseA00

1. g3 Nf6

• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.

Myers DefenseA00

1. g3 g5

• 1... g5 Opens the f8-h6 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Myers Defense.

Sicilian InvitationA00

1. g3 c5

• 1... c5 Fights for d4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Sicilian Invitation.

Symmetrical VariationA00

1. g3 g6

• 1... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the Symmetrical Variation.

Reversed AlekhineA00

1. g3 e5 2. Nf3

In the centre, Black holds e5.

• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Reversed Alekhine.

Catalan FormationA00

1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 e6

White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.

• 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Bg2 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d5 and e4 from a distance.
• 2... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Catalan Formation.

Reversed Modern DefenseA00

1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 c5

• 2... c5 Theory calls this the Reversed Modern Defense.

Slav FormationA00

1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 c6

• 2... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Slav Formation.

Van Kuijk GambitA00

1. g3 h5 2. Nf3 h4

• 1... h5 A useful waiting move that grabs space on the h-file. Theory calls this the Lasker Simul Special.
• 2... h4 Challenges the pawn on g3 - it can push to g4 or take on h4. Theory calls this the Van Kuijk Gambit.

Bücker GambitA00

1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 e5 3. b4

Reversed Norwegian DefenseA00

1. g3 e5 2. Nf3 e4 3. Nh4

In the centre, Black holds e4.

• 2... e4 Puts the question to the knight on f3 - retreat, trade, or be taken.

Pachman GambitA00

1. g3 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Qh5+ g6

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as White's avenue and the f-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.

• 2. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... fxe4 Takes the pawn on e4, toward the centre.

Reversed Brooklyn Defense, Brooklyn Benko GambitA00

1. g3 e5 2. Nf3 e4 3. Ng1 Nf6 4. b4

Winterberg GambitA00

1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 e5 3. c4 dxc4 4. b3

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as White's avenue and the d-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

Burk GambitA00

1. g3 e5 2. a3 d5 3. Nf3 e4 4. Nh4 Be7 5. d3

In the centre, Black holds e4 and d5.

• 2. a3 Takes b4 away from Black's bishop.

Paris GambitA00

1. g3 e5 2. Nh3 d5 3. f4 Bxh3 4. Bxh3 exf4 5. O-O

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as Black's avenue and the f-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

• 2. Nh3 Develops the knight to h3. It backs up the pawn on f2.

Asten GambitA00

1. g3 Nc6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 e5 4. dxe5 d4 5. Ne4 f5

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 is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.

• 1... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5.
• 2. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4.

Wiedenhagen-Beta GambitA07

1. g3 d5 2. Nf3 g5

In the centre, Black holds d5.

• 2. Nf3 Theory calls this the King's Indian Attack.
• 2... g5 The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Wiedenhagen-Beta Gambit: development and initiative over material.