Marienbad System · A47
Main line
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. Bg2 c5
White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal and Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 pawn. Theory calls this the Knights Variation.
- 2... b6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via b7. Theory calls this the Pseudo Queen's Indian Defense.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 2 in the Marienbad System. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.