Two lines from our repertoire
Follow each line from the starting position. The notes explain the position after the displayed move, including the plan for the next move. These are repertoire examples; your opponent can choose other replies.
Pause at the diagrams to see the idea. The highlighted squares show the last move; the note explains what comes next.
Moves use international algebraic notation: N = knight, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king.
1. Introduction to the Closed Variation
1. e4After 1. e4We respond with ♟c7-c6, preparing to challenge White's center
1... c62. d4After 2. d4We play ♟d7-d5, forcing White to make a decision about their pawn center. They have several radically different options
2... d53. e5After 3. e5♟e4–e5 is White's most common response: they grab space. If we play passively, White's advantage will grow. Our idea is to undermine the center with ♟c6–c5, putting pressure on ♟d4. For now, we play ♝c8–f5, bringing the bishop outside the pawn chain, ready to play ♟e7-e6
3... Bf5
After 4. Nf3Black to move. At the board4. Nf3After 4. Nf3We play ♟e7-e6, opening the path for developing the king's side pieces, while also preparing to undermine the center with ♟c6-c5, clearing the way for ♞b8-c6
4... e65. Bd3After 5. Bd3The most popular response for White. We exchange ♝f5xd3, preventing doubled pawns on the "f" file
5... Bxd36. Qxd3After 6. Qxd3Time to undermine the center with ♟c6-c5, freeing the c6 square for ♞b8's development
6... c57. c3After 7. c3A reasonable reaction — trying to hold the formidable center. Black has several moves, but the trickiest is ♞g8-e7, enticing White to take ♟c6 as a sacrifice. Let's develop!
7... Ne7After 8. dxc5Black to move. At the board8. dxc5After 8. dxc5Greed costs White dearly, as they lose the formidable center and create a weak ♟e5, easily pressured. We play ♞e7-g6, attacking ♟c5 and targeting ♟e5
8... Ng69. b4After 9. b4In case of expected reinforcement, we undermine the queen's side with ♟a7-a5, attempting to open the "a" file for ♜a8
9... a510. O-OAfter 10. O-OWe respond with a double attack — ♞b8-c6, pressuring ♟e5 and ♟b4. White faces their first difficulties
10... Nc611. a3After 11. a3Question: which pawn to capture (♟e5/♟b4)? If we take ♟e5, White keeps a strong structure on the queen's side. If we take ♟b4, White retains a vulnerable ♟e5, easy to attack. We capture ♟a5xb4!
11... axb4After 12. cxb4Black to move. At the board12. cxb4After 12. cxb4We capture ♞c6xb4, exploiting the pin along the "a" file. White must decide on their retreat
12... Nxb413. Qb5+After 13. Qb5+White announces a fork, so returning ♞b4-c6 is mandatory!
13... Nc614. Qxb7After 14. Qxb7It seems like we've given up the key ♟b7 and now must spend time defending ♞c6, as if we're in trouble, but no! Despite being a pawn down, ♟e5 and ♟c5 will eventually fall — it's only a matter of time. We play ♛d8-c8, offering a favorable transition to the endgame
14... Qc815. Qxc8+After 15. Qxc8+We capture back the queen — ♜a8xc8
15... Rxc816. Bb2After 16. Bb2Obviously, White couldn't hold onto both dangling pawns. We play ♝f8xc5, recapturing one pawn, achieving excellent piece development! Black has a significant advantage due to better piece placement and a very solid ♟ structure!
After 16... Bxc5White to move. At the board16... Bxc5
2. Easily Winning a Pawn
1. e4After 1. e4We respond with ♟c7-c6, preparing to undermine White's center.
1... c62. d4After 2. d4We play ♟d7-d5, forcing White to decide the fate of their pawn center. They have several radically different options.
2... d53. e5After 3. e5♟e4–e5 is White's most common response: they grab space. If we play passively, White's advantage will grow. Our idea is to undermine the center with ♟c6–c5, putting pressure on ♟d4. Meanwhile, we play ♝c8–f5, bringing the bishop outside the pawn chain, with the option of ♟e7-e6 ready.
3... Bf5After 4. Nf3Black to move. At the board4. Nf3After 4. Nf3We play ♟e7-e6, opening the path for developing the king's side minor pieces, while also preparing to undermine the center with ♟c6-c5, which also clears the way for ♞b8-c6.
4... e65. Bd3After 5. Bd3The most popular response for White. We exchange ♝f5xd3, preventing doubled pawns on the "f" file.
5... Bxd36. Qxd3After 6. Qxd3Time to undermine the center with ♟c6-c5, freeing c6 for the development of ♞b8.
6... c57. c3After 7. c3A sensible reaction is to try to hold the formidable center. Black has several moves, but the trickiest is ♞g8-e7, luring White to accept ♟c6 as a sacrifice. Let's develop!
7... Ne7After 8. dxc5Black to move. At the board8. dxc5After 8. dxc5Greed proves costly for White as they lose the formidable center, creating a weak ♟e5, which is easy to pressure. We play ♞e7-g6, attacking ♟c5 and targeting ♟e5.
8... Ng69. b4After 9. b4In case of the expected reinforcement, we undermine the queen's side with ♟a7-a5, trying to open the "a" file for ♜a8.
9... a510. O-OAfter 10. O-OWe respond with a double attack — ♞b8-c6, putting pressure on ♟e5 and ♟b4. White starts to face difficulties.
10... Nc611. b5After 11. b5In case of a counterattack, we calmly take the pawn — ♞c6xe5, recovering the pawn.
11... Ncxe5After 12. Nxe5Black to move. At the board12. Nxe5After 12. Nxe5We take back with ♞g6xe5!
12... Nxe513. Qd4After 13. Qd4We retreat ♞e5-d7, organizing an attack on ♟c5. Spoiler alert: White won't be able to hold the pawn!
13... Nd714. c6After 14. c6We exchange with ♟b7xc6, keeping in mind the subsequent retreat ♞d7-b8, attacking the "lost" ♟c6.
14... bxc615. bxc6After 15. bxc6We play ♞c6-b8, attacking ♟c6!
15... Nb816. Qa4After 16. Qa4We just need to play ♛d8-c7, after which the fate of ♟c6 will be sealed!
After 16... Qc7White to move. At the board16... Qc7After 16... Qc7Black will have an extra pawn + comfortable play for two results. Take advantage of the advice!
Original commentary from Theoria’s opening lessons, prepared by FIDE Master Maksims Golubovskis.
Put the idea on the board
Open this opening in the trainer to study and practise its lines. Start with one line, explain the purpose of each move, then try to recall it without hints.