Nimzowitsch Defense · B00

Kennedy Variation, Hammer Gambit

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 f6

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.

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. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Kennedy Variation.

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