Kangaroo Defense · A40
Keres Defense, Transpositional Variation
1. d4 e6 2. c4 Bb4+ 3. Nc3
White's knight on c3 is pinned against the king.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Horwitz Defense.
- 2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.
- 2... Bb4+ Check from the bishop on b4 - White has to answer with Bd2, Nc3, Nd2 or Qd2. Theory calls this the Kangaroo Defense.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 2 in the Kangaroo Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.