Queen's Pawn Game · D02

London System, after 3... c5, through 5. Nbd2

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2

In the centre, White holds d4 while Black holds d5.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 pawn. Theory calls this the Zukertort Variation.
• 2... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. It also props up the d5 pawn. Theory calls this the Symmetrical Variation.

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