Nimzowitsch Defense · B00
Wheeler Gambit
1. e4 Nc6 2. b4
In the centre, White holds e4.
The first 3 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. b4 Opens the c1-a3 diagonal for the bishop. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Wheeler Gambit: development and initiative over material.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 43 in the Nimzowitsch Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.