A41-A82 (+B00-B06, C00)

Rat Defense

11 named lines in this family, ECO A41-A82 (+B00-B06, C00). Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.

English RatA41

1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5

In the centre, White holds d4 while Black holds e5.

1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
1... d6 Supports the centre, adding control of e5.
2. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Old Indian Defense.
2... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen. Theory calls this the English Rat.

English Rat, Lisbon GambitA41

1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Nc6

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.

English Rat, Pounds GambitA41

1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Be6

Balogh DefenseA82

1. e4 d6 2. d4 f5

In the centre, White holds d4 and e4.

1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
1... d6 Theory calls this the Pirc Defense.
2... f5 Challenges the pawn on e4 - the central tension has to resolve. Theory calls this the Balogh Defense.

HarmonistB00

1. e4 d6 2. f4

In the centre, White holds e4.

2. f4 Fights for e5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Harmonist.

Petruccioli AttackB00

1. e4 d6 2. h4

2. h4 A useful waiting move that grabs space on the h-file. Theory calls this the Petruccioli Attack.

Spike AttackB00

1. e4 d6 2. g4

2. g4 Opens the f1-h3 diagonal for the bishop. Theory calls this the Spike Attack.

Antal DefenseB00

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nd7

2... Nd7 Develops the knight to d7, eyeing e5. Theory calls this the Antal Defense.

Fuller GambitB00

1. e4 d6 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 Nf6

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.

Accelerated GurgenidzeB06

1. e4 g6 2. d4 d6 3. Nc3 c6

1... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the Modern Defense.

Small Center DefenseC00

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d6

1... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the Horwitz Defense.
2... d6 Theory calls this the Small Center Defense.

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