Zukertort Opening · A04
Arctic Defense, Drunken Knight Variation
1. Nf3 f6 2. e4 Nh6 3. d4 Nf7
In the centre, White holds d4 and e4.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Zukertort Opening.
- 1... f6 Fights for e5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Arctic Defense.
- 2. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2... Nh6 Develops the knight to h6. Its usual square f6 is taken by its own pawn.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 47 in the Zukertort Opening. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.