Nimzowitsch Defense · B00

Scandinavian Variation, Exchange Variation, Marshall Gambit

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3

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

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... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the Scandinavian Variation.

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