Nimzowitsch Defense · B00

Colorado Countergambit Accepted

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 f5 3. exf5

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

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Nimzowitsch Defense.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Declined Variation.
• 2... f5 Challenges the pawn on e4 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Colorado Countergambit: development and initiative over material.

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