The Caro-Kann Defense for Black – the whole course to read – Learning studio

Starting position after 1.e4 c6

The Caro-Kann Defense arises after 1.e4 1...c6: Black prepares 2...d5 and attacks White's centre without locking his bishop on c8 behind his own pawns. It is one of the most solid answers to 1.e4 – ideal for club players who want a healthy pawn structure and clear plans. This course is built from 31,192 games of all the player collections on this site; Stockfish checked every position. After 2.d4 2...d5 (81 % of the games) White has four main roads: against 3.Nc3 and 3.Nd2 you take on e4 and play the Classical Variation with 4...Bf5, h6 and Nd7. Against the Exchange Variation 3.exd5 you recapture with the c-pawn; in the Panov Attack 4.c4 you besiege the isolated pawn on d4, and against 4.Bd3 you develop with Nc6 and Bg4. In the Advance Variation 3.e5 your bishop comes out with 3...Bf5 before e6 and the lever c5 follow. The course also covers the side roads 2.Nc3 and 2.c4.

The ideas

Bishop first: in the Classical Variation and against 3.e5 you put the bishop outside the pawn chain with Bf5 before you play e6 – that keeps it active. Against h4 and h5 you give it the retreat square h7 with h6.
The lever c5 is your most important freeing move: it attacks d4, opens the c-file and gives your pieces room – against the Advance Variation as well as in the main line once White has castled long.
Against the isolated pawn on d4 in the Panov Attack you put a knight on d5 in front of it, pressure the pawn with Nc6, Bf6 or Qb6 and trade pieces – the fewer pieces on the board, the weaker the pawn becomes.
Exchanges bring relief: you trade off White's bishop on d3 with Bxd3 or via Bg6, and with Qe4 you offer the queen trade when the endgame is comfortable for you.
Watch h7: when White's queen and bishop stand together on the b1–h7 diagonal, you close it with g6 or give your king air with h6; a knight on f6 also covers h7.
When White's bishop leaves c1, b2 is often unprotected: with Qb6 you attack the pawn – a recurring motif against the Advance Variation.

To the course with board, lines and training →

Chapter 1: 2.d4

Line 1: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.Bd2 Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.c4 Qc7 15.O-O-O Ngf6 16.Kb1 O-O

2.d4: The main reply (81 % of the games): White builds the big centre with the pawns on e4 and d4. You attack it at once with 2...d5 – the heart of the Caro-Kann Defense.
2…d5: The pawn on c6 supports d5, so you attack e4 without locking your bishop on c8 in behind e6. White has to decide: cover e4 (3.Nc3, 3.Nd2), advance (3.e5) or exchange (3.exd5).
3.Nc3: White covers e4 with the knight – the road into the main line (30 %). You take on e4 and get free play for your pieces.
3…dxe4: You exchange the central pawn. After 4.Nxe4 your bishop on c8 can go to f5 and attack the knight at once.
4.Nxe4: Practically the only reply (100 %). Now comes the Classical Variation with 4...Bf5.
4…Bf5: The Classical Variation: the bishop gets outside the pawn chain before you play e6, and it attacks the knight on e4 with tempo. For Stockfish this is the best move here.
5.Ng3: White retreats with tempo and attacks the bishop on f5 in turn – so in 95 % of the games.
5…Bg6: The bishop stays on the b1–h7 diagonal and keeps an eye on e4. But watch White's h-pawn: with h4 and h5 White wants to harass it.
6.h4: The typical attack (62 %): White threatens 7.h5, and then your bishop on g6 would have no square, because your own pawn still stands on h7. That is why you reply 6...h6.
6…h6: A must and Stockfish's choice: the square h7 is cleared for the bishop. After h5 it simply retreats there.
7.Nf3: White develops and has Ne5 in mind, which would harass the bishop on g6. That is why 7...Nd7 follows, controlling e5.
7…Nd7: The knight watches the square e5 so that Ne5 has no effect. Your other knight comes to f6 via g8 later.
8.h5: White gains space on the kingside (90 %) and chases the bishop – it goes to h7, which is what 6...h6 was for.
8…Bh7: On h7 the bishop is safe and still aims along the diagonal. White now almost always offers the trade with 9.Bd3.
9.Bd3: White trades the light-squared bishops; afterwards his queen stands centrally on d3.
9…Bxd3: You accept the trade. Otherwise the bishop on h7 would have little scope, and after 10.Qxd3 your position is very solid.
10.Qxd3: White recaptures with the queen – the main line with 2,766 games. The queen stands well on d3, covers d4 and helps with castling long.
10…e6: Stockfish's first choice: e6 opens the bishop on f8 and supports d5. Your plan: Ngf6, Be7 or Qc7, then the lever c5 against d4. In this position White usually castles long.
11.Bf4: The most frequent reply (66 %): the bishop aims at c7 and b8. Stockfish considers 11.Bd2 more precise (loss 0.03), because now comes the check 11...Qa5+.
11…Qa5: Check along the a5–e1 diagonal! After 12.Bd2 White's bishop has needed two moves to land on d2, and your queen stands actively. Stockfish's first choice.
12.Bd2: Almost always played (96 %). Now you offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops with 12...Bb4.
12…Bb4: Stockfish's first choice: you offer the bishop trade. White usually replies 13.c3, and then your bishop drops back to e7; against 13.Ne4 a surprise is waiting.
13.c3: White chases the bishop away (77 %). The position is completely level (eval 0).
13…Be7: The bishop retreats. Next come Ngf6 and, depending on the situation, Qc7.
14.c4: Careful: the pawn clears the diagonal, and now the bishop on d2 attacks your queen on a5!
14…Qc7: The queen steps back to c7. There she watches e5 and later supports c5. Stockfish agrees.
15.O-O-O: White castles long (56 %) and puts the rook on the d-file.
15…Ngf6: You develop your last knight – Stockfish's first choice. Short castling follows.
16.Kb1: A cautious move. Stockfish wanted 16.Rhe1 first, but the difference is small (loss 0.08).
16…O-O: You castle short and your development is complete. The position is level (eval 0).

Line 2: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.Bd2 Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.c4 Qc7 15.O-O-O Ngf6 16.Ne4 Rd8

up to 15…Ngf6 as line 1

16.Ne4: White offers a knight trade – for Stockfish just as good as 16.Rhe1. You answer 16...Rd8: first the d-file, then the exchanges. Stockfish would rather castle first (16...O-O) but sees no difference.
16…Rd8: Stockfish's move: the rook goes to the d-file, against White's queen and the pawn on d4. After Nxf6 Nxf6 the lever c5 follows later.

Line 3: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.Bd2 Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.c4 Qc7 15.O-O-O Ngf6 16.Rhe1 a5

up to 15…Ngf6 as line 2

16.Rhe1: The rook goes to the e-file – Stockfish's first choice.
16…a5: 16...a5 starts your attack against White's king on the queenside. Level (eval 0).

Line 4: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.Bd2 Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.c4 Qc7 15.d5 cxd5 16.cxd5 Qd6

up to 14…Qc7 as line 3

15.d5: White opens the centre with a pawn advance (25 %). You first exchange on d5.
15…cxd5: You take on d5 – Stockfish's first choice. White won none of these games.
16.cxd5: White recaptures with the c-pawn; the pawn on d5 is far advanced but can also become weak. Level (eval 0).
16…Qd6: The queen goes to d6 and attacks the pawn on d5. Stockfish shows 17.Qb5 17...Nf6 18.dxe6 18...Qxe6 – level (eval 0).

Line 5: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.Bd2 Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.c4 Qc7 15.O-O Ngf6 16.Rfe1 O-O

up to 14…Qc7 as line 4

15.O-O: Rarer (15 %): White castles short. You reply calmly with 15...Ngf6 and castle as well.
15…Ngf6: The knight develops to f6 – Stockfish's first choice. 73 % of these games were drawn.
16.Rfe1: The rook goes to the e-file.
16…O-O: You castle – development is complete. Level (eval 0).

Line 6: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.Bd2 Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.O-O Ngf6 15.c4 Qc7

up to 13…Be7 as line 5

14.O-O: White castles short. Stockfish names 14.c4 first, hardly any difference (loss 0.02).
14…Ngf6: The knight develops to f6 – Stockfish's first choice.
15.c4: 15.c4 gains space in the centre.
15…Qc7: The queen goes to c7. Transposition: this position also arises by another move order – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 7: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.Bd2 Bb4 13.Ne4 Ngf6 14.Nd6 Ke7 15.Nc4 Bxd2 16.Nfxd2 Qc7

up to 12…Bb4 as line 6

13.Ne4: An attempt to trade with tempo; Stockfish wanted 13.a3 (loss 0.08). After 13...Ngf6 14.Nd6+ you simply put your king on e7.
13…Ngf6: You attack the knight on e4 and are not scared of the check on d6.
14.Nd6: The check looks dangerous but is harmless.
14…Ke7: The king goes to e7! It looks bold, but the knight on d6 is now attacked and has to move again, and your bishop on b4 is not hanging. The position is level (eval −0.01).
15.Nc4: The knight retreats and attacks your queen; Stockfish wanted 15.Nxb7 (loss 0.15).
15…Bxd2: You trade with check and so gain the time to bring your queen to safety.
16.Nfxd2: White recaptures with the knight from f3 – Stockfish's first choice. Black won 57 % of these games.
16…Qc7: The queen is safe on c7. Black is more comfortable (eval −0.19) and won 60 % of these games.

Line 8: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Nf6 15.Qe2 Qd5 16.c4 Qe4

up to 10…e6 as line 7

11.Bd2: Stockfish's first choice (33 %): White prepares long castling and gives you no check on a5.
11…Ngf6: The knight comes to f6 – Stockfish's first choice.
12.O-O-O: White castles long (90 %) – the typical position of this variation.
12…Be7: The bishop goes to e7, then short castling follows. Stockfish agrees.
13.Ne4: White offers a knight trade (41 %). Every exchange gives your slightly cramped position more room.
13…Nxe4: You trade. Stockfish would castle first (13...O-O); the difference is small (loss 0.03).
14.Qxe4: The queen recaptures and stands centrally on e4 – Stockfish's first choice.
14…Nf6: The other knight comes to f6 with tempo and attacks the queen.
15.Qe2: The queen steps away from your knight on f6 to e2. 55 % of these games were drawn.
15…Qd5: The queen centralises and attacks the pawn on a2. The pawn on h5 is covered by the rook on h1.
16.c4: White chases the queen away (86 %) and gains space.
16…Qe4: You offer the queen trade. After Qxe4 Nxe4 your knight stands strongly on e4, and the endgame is comfortable for you.

Line 9: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Nf6 15.Qe2 Qd5 16.Kb1 Rd8

up to 15…Qd5 as line 8

16.Kb1: White covers a2 with the king. Stockfish wanted 16.c4 (loss 0.00).
16…Rd8: Stockfish's move: the rook goes to the half-open d-file and increases the pressure on d4.

Line 10: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Nf6 15.Qd3 c5

up to 14…Nf6 as line 9

15.Qd3: The queen steps away from your knight to d3. Stockfish wanted 15.Qe2 (loss 0.17).
15…c5: 15...c5 attacks d4 – your typical lever. Level (eval 0).

Line 11: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 O-O 14.Ne4 c5 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Nxf6 Bxf6

up to 12…Be7 as line 10

13.Kb1: A frequent cautious move (23 %): the king already goes to b1.
13…O-O: You castle; your plan is still the lever c5.
14.Ne4: White offers the knight trade (45 %). Now 14...c5 fits.
14…c5: The lever against d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
15.dxc5: White takes on c5. Stockfish names 15.Nxf6+ first (loss 0.04).
15…Nxc5: You recapture with the knight and attack the queen on d3 at the same time.
16.Nxf6: White first trades off the knight on f6.
16…Bxf6: You recapture with the bishop, which now stands on the long diagonal and aims at b2.

Line 12: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 O-O 14.Ne4 c5 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Qxd8 Rfxd8

up to 15…Nxc5 as line 11

16.Qxd8: White trades queens; the endgame is level.
16…Rfxd8: Recapture with the rook from f8 so that the rook on a8 can later go to the c-file – Stockfish's first choice.

Line 13: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 O-O 14.Ne4 c5 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Nxc5 Bxc5

up to 15…Nxc5 as line 12

16.Nxc5: An inaccurate trade (loss 0.17): afterwards your bishop stands actively on c5. Black won 67 % of these games.
16…Bxc5: You recapture with the bishop; it stands actively on c5. You stand marginally better (eval −0.14); Black won two thirds of these games.

Line 14: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 O-O 14.Ne4 c5 15.Nxf6 Nxf6 16.g4 Nxg4

up to 14…c5 as line 13

15.Nxf6: White exchanges on f6 at once.
15…Nxf6: The course move, but Stockfish prefers to recapture with the bishop (15...Bxf6, loss 0.19): it then attacks the pawn on d4 at once.
16.g4: White sacrifices the pawn on g4 to open the g-file against your king – Stockfish's first choice.
16…Nxg4: You take the pawn – Stockfish's first choice. In return White gets the open g-file (eval 0.12).

Line 15: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 O-O 14.Ne4 c5 15.g4 Nxg4 16.Qe2 Qb6

up to 14…c5 as line 14

15.g4: White sacrifices the pawn on g4 to open lines against your king. Stockfish names 15.Nxf6+ first (loss 0.06).
15…Nxg4: You take the pawn – a pawn up.
16.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 and attacks your knight on g4.
16…Qb6: The queen goes to b6 and presses on b2. You are a pawn up, White has play for it (eval 0); 86 % of these games were drawn.

Line 16: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 O-O 14.Qe2

up to 13…O-O as line 15

14.Qe2: Transposition: the same position arises after 13.Qe2 13...O-O 14.Kb1 – the course continues there. Stockfish found Qe2 inaccurate here (loss 0.11). (transposition)

Line 17: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 O-O 14.c4 b5 15.cxb5 Rb8

up to 13…O-O as line 16

14.c4: Inaccurate (loss 0.14): the advance loosens the pawns in front of the king on b1; Stockfish wanted 14.Ne4. The course replies with the pawn sacrifice 14...b5!
14…b5: The idea: after 15.cxb5, 15...Rb8 opens the b-file straight against White's king. Stockfish considers 14...Qc7 marginally more precise (loss 0.05) and sees the position as level (eval −0.01).
15.cxb5: White accepts the pawn sacrifice – Stockfish's first choice.
15…Rb8: The rook goes to the half-open b-file against White's king. You stand slightly better (eval −0.12).

Line 18: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Qe2 O-O 14.Ne5 c5 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.Kb1 Qb6

up to 12…Be7 as line 17

13.Qe2: White keeps the knights on the board and prepares Ne5 (31 %).
13…O-O: You castle. Stockfish names 13...Rc8 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.01).
14.Ne5: The knight jumps into the centre (56 %); Stockfish found 14.Nf1 more precise (loss 0.11).
14…c5: The typical lever: you attack d4 before White builds anything on the kingside. Stockfish's first choice.
15.dxc5: White takes on c5 – Stockfish's first choice. Black won 41 % of these games.
15…Nxc5: You recapture with the knight, which is active on c5.
16.Kb1: Too slow (loss 0.25): Stockfish wanted 16.Bxh6. Now Black is better (eval −0.32).
16…Qb6: The queen comes to the b-file, against White's king. Stockfish saw 16...Qc7 as slightly better (loss 0.09).

Line 19: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Qe2 O-O 14.Ne5 c5 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.dxc5 Qc6

up to 14…c5 as line 18

15.Nxd7: White trades his strong knight; Stockfish wanted 15.dxc5 (loss 0.14).
15…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen, which now stands on the d-file.
16.dxc5: White takes on c5 – Stockfish's first choice. White won none of these games.
16…Qc6: Stockfish's move: the queen stands actively on c6, and you win back the pawn on c5 later. Black is slightly better (eval −0.25).

Line 20: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Qe2 O-O 14.Kb1 c5 15.dxc5 Bxc5

up to 13…O-O as line 19

14.Kb1: White brings the king to b1; Stockfish named 14.Nf1 (loss 0.14).
14…c5: Again the lever c5 against d4.
15.dxc5: White takes on c5. Stockfish names 15.d5 first, equally good.
15…Bxc5: You recapture with the bishop – level (eval −0.11).

Line 21: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Qe2 O-O 14.Rhe1 c5 15.Nf5 cxd4

up to 13…O-O as line 20

14.Rhe1: White puts the rook on the e-file; Stockfish considers this inaccurate (loss 0.11).
14…c5: The course move; Stockfish wanted 14...Qc7 first (loss 0.09). After 15.Nf5 you have to play precisely.
15.Nf5: A typical knight sortie and Stockfish's first choice: the knight aims at e7 and h6. You reply calmly with 15...cxd4.
15…cxd4: You take on d4 – Stockfish's first choice. After 16.Nxe7+ 16...Qxe7 17.Nxd4 all is well (eval 0.09).

Line 22: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.O-O-O c5 14.Rh4 Be7 15.dxc5 Nxc5

up to 11…Ngf6 as line 21

12.Qe2: White keeps castling open (8 %); Stockfish wanted 12.O-O-O (loss 0.22).
12…Qc7: The queen watches e5 and supports c5. Stockfish names 12...Be7 first (loss 0.13).
13.O-O-O: White castles long – Stockfish's first choice.
13…c5: The lever against d4 at once. Stockfish would play 13...Be7 first (loss 0.14).
14.Rh4: The rook wants to support d4 along the fourth rank – inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.28), which wanted 14.Rhe1.
14…Be7: You develop the bishop and are ready to castle. Level (eval 0).
15.dxc5: White takes on c5; Stockfish names 15.Bf4 first, equally good. 83 % of these games were drawn.
15…Nxc5: Stockfish recaptures with the knight; the position is level (eval −0.07).

Line 23: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.O-O-O c5 14.Kb1 Be7 15.Nh4 Nb6

up to 13…c5 as line 22

14.Kb1: A cautious move that costs time according to Stockfish (loss 0.28); it wanted 14.Rhe1. Black won half of these games.
14…Be7: Stockfish simply develops the bishop (eval 0.00).
15.Nh4: The knight goes to h4 and eyes f5 and g6.
15…Nb6: The knight goes to b6 and eyes c4 and d5. Level (eval 0).

Line 24: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.O-O-O c5 14.c4 cxd4 15.Nxd4 Be7

up to 13…c5 as line 23

14.c4: The weakest move here (loss 0.58): it opens the centre in front of White's own king. After 14...cxd4 Black is better (eval −0.3).
14…cxd4: Stockfish takes at once. After 15.Nxd4 15...Bc5 your bishop attacks the knight and develops with tempo.
15.Nxd4: The knight recaptures and stands centrally.
15…Be7: The bishop develops to e7. You stand slightly better (eval −0.20).

Line 25: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.O-O-O c5 14.Rhe1 O-O-O 15.Kb1 Bd6

up to 13…c5 as line 24

14.Rhe1: Stockfish's first choice: the rook comes to the e-file.
14…O-O-O: Stockfish castles long: the king is safe, and the rook is on the d-file at once.
15.Kb1: The king goes to b1.
15…Bd6: The bishop goes to d6 and attacks the knight on g3. White stands slightly better (eval 0.23).

Line 26: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.c4 Bd6 14.Nf5 Bf4 15.Ne3 O-O

up to 12…Qc7 as line 25

13.c4: White gains space but does not castle yet – inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.13).
13…Bd6: The bishop goes actively to d6 and targets the knight on g3. Black is already slightly better (eval −0.25).
14.Nf5: The knight steps to f5 and attacks your bishop. You cannot take it: your pawn on e6 is pinned to the king, because the queen on e2 is on the e-file.
14…Bf4: Stockfish's move: you offer the bishop trade and keep the edge (eval −0.23).
15.Ne3: The knight retreats to e3.
15…O-O: You castle. You stand slightly better (eval −0.15).

Line 27: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.Ne5 Bd6 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Ne4 Be7

up to 12…Qc7 as line 26

13.Ne5: A mistake (loss 0.37): the knight comes to e5 too early.
13…Bd6: Stockfish's answer: the bishop attacks the knight on e5. After Nxd7 Qxd7 Black is comfortable (eval −0.17).
14.Nxd7: White trades the knights.
14…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen.
15.Ne4: The knight attacks your knight on f6 and the bishop on d6.
15…Be7: The bishop retreats to e7. You stand slightly better (eval −0.21).

Line 28: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.O-O-O e6 12.Kb1 O-O-O 13.c4 c5 14.Bc3 cxd4 15.Nxd4 a6 16.Nf3 Bc5

up to 7…Nd7 as line 27

8.Bd3: White skips 8.h5 and trades the bishops at once (10 %).
8…Bxd3: You trade the bishops – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Qxd3: White recaptures with the queen. Unlike the main line White has not played h5 yet – the pawn on h4 stays flexible.
9…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and watches e5. Stockfish names 9...e6 first by a hair (loss 0.13).
10.Bd2: White prepares long castling (94 %).
10…Ngf6: You develop the knight; 10...e6 would be just as good.
11.O-O-O: White castles long, as usual in this line. Despite the castling it stays calm: 64 % of these games were drawn.
11…e6: Stockfish's first choice: the bishop on f8 gets air, and d5 is supported.
12.Kb1: A bit slow (loss 0.17); Stockfish wanted 12.Ne4.
12…O-O-O: You castle long as well – both kings are on the queenside. Stockfish considers 12...Rd8 better (loss 0.27).
13.c4: White gains space on the queenside; Stockfish wanted 13.Qe2 (loss 0.20).
13…c5: You attack the centre at once – Stockfish's first choice.
14.Bc3: The bishop stands behind the pawn on d4 and covers it once more – Stockfish's first choice.
14…cxd4: You exchange in the centre and open the position for your pieces.
15.Nxd4: White recaptures with the knight; it stands centrally, and the d-file is half-open for both rooks.
15…a6: A useful move: it takes the square b5 away from the knight on d4. Stockfish agrees.
16.Nf3: The knight goes back to f3. Stockfish names 16.Rhe1 first but sees no difference (eval 0.17).
16…Bc5: The bishop stands actively on c5. Stockfish names 16...Rg8 first but sees no difference.

Line 29: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.O-O-O e6 12.Kb1 O-O-O 13.c4 c5 14.Qe2 Bd6 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Nf6

up to 13…c5 as line 28

14.Qe2: The queen goes to e2. Stockfish wanted 14.Bc3 (loss 0.14). 70 % of these games were drawn.
14…Bd6: The bishop goes to d6 and aims at the knight on g3 – Stockfish's first choice.
15.Ne4: The knight offers a trade and attacks your bishop on d6. Stockfish names 15.Rhe1 first, equally good.
15…Nxe4: You trade the knights – Stockfish's first choice.
16.Qxe4: The queen recaptures and stands centrally.
16…Nf6: The knight returns to f6; the position is level (eval 0.10).

Line 30: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.O-O-O e6 12.Ne4 O-O-O 13.g3 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Bd6 15.Qe2 Nf6

up to 11…e6 as line 29

12.Ne4: White offers the knight trade (19 %).
12…O-O-O: You castle long. Stockfish names 12...Nxe4 first; the difference is small (loss 0.05).
13.g3: White takes the square f4 away from your pieces.
13…Nxe4: You trade the knights. Stockfish wanted 13...Ng4 (loss 0.21) – White now stands somewhat better (eval 0.46).
14.Qxe4: The queen recaptures and stands centrally.
14…Bd6: The bishop comes to d6 – Stockfish's first choice.
15.Qe2: The queen steps to e2 as a precaution.
15…Nf6: The knight comes to f6. White stands somewhat better (eval 0.53).

Line 31: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.O-O-O e6 12.Ne4 O-O-O 13.g3 Ng4 14.Qe2 f5 15.Nc3 Bd6

up to 13.g3 as line 30

13…Ng4: The knight jumps to g4 and attacks f2 – Stockfish's first choice.
14.Qe2: The queen covers f2.
14…f5: 14...f5 attacks the knight on e4.
15.Nc3: The knight steps to c3.
15…Bd6: The bishop develops to d6. White stands slightly better (eval 0.23).

Line 32: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.O-O-O e6 12.Ne4 O-O-O 13.Kb1 c5 14.Nxf6 Nxf6 15.Qc4 a6

up to 12…O-O-O as line 31

13.Kb1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.27); it wanted 13.Nxf6.
13…c5: Stockfish's move: the lever c5 against d4.
14.Nxf6: White trades the knights.
14…Nxf6: You recapture with the knight.
15.Qc4: The queen attacks your pawn on c5.
15…a6: 15...a6 takes the square b5 away from the queen. Level (eval 0.11).

Line 33: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.O-O-O e6 12.c4 Bd6 13.Ne4 Bf4 14.Nxf6 Nxf6 15.Bxf4 Qxf4 16.Qd2 Qxd2

up to 11…e6 as line 32

12.c4: Inaccurate (loss 0.39): White pushes the c-pawn before the pieces are ready. Stockfish wanted 12.Ne4.
12…Bd6: The bishop attacks the knight on g3. Stockfish preferred 12...Be7 (loss 0.10).
13.Ne4: The knight attacks your bishop on d6 and offers a trade on f6. 90 % of these games were drawn.
13…Bf4: You offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
14.Nxf6: White trades with check. Stockfish names 14.Rhg1 first (loss 0.13).
14…Nxf6: You recapture with the knight.
15.Bxf4: White trades the dark-squared bishops.
15…Qxf4: The queen recaptures with check.
16.Qd2: White offers a queen trade – afterwards the position is completely level (eval 0). Stockfish names 16.Kb1 first, equally good. All of these games were drawn.
16…Qxd2: You trade queens with check. The endgame is level (eval 0.09) – all games along this path ended in a draw.

Line 34: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.O-O-O e6 12.Qe2 O-O-O 13.Ne5 Nb6 14.Ba5 Rd5 15.Bxb6 axb6

up to 11…e6 as line 33

12.Qe2: White keeps castling open (13 %); Stockfish wanted 12.Ne4 (loss 0.29).
12…O-O-O: You castle long; Stockfish wanted 12...Be7 (loss 0.32).
13.Ne5: The knight comes to e5 – Stockfish finds this inaccurate (loss 0.16).
13…Nb6: The knight avoids the exchange and controls d5. Stockfish's first choice.
14.Ba5: The bishop pins the knight on b6 to your queen on c7 – inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.20).
14…Rd5: A nice counter: the rook attacks the bishop on a5. After 15.Bxb6 15...axb6 the pin is gone and the a-file is open for you.
15.Bxb6: White takes the knight on b6 and gives the bishop for it.
15…axb6: You recapture with the a-pawn; the a-file opens for your rook. Level (eval −0.10).

Line 35: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Qc7 10.Bd2 Ngf6 11.O-O-O e6 12.Rhe1 O-O-O 13.Kb1 c5 14.Qe2 Bd6 15.Nf1 cxd4

up to 11…e6 as line 34

12.Rhe1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.29); it wanted 12.Ne4.
12…O-O-O: You castle long; Stockfish wanted 12...Be7 (loss 0.23).
13.Kb1: The king goes to b1.
13…c5: 13...c5 attacks d4.
14.Qe2: The queen goes to e2.
14…Bd6: The bishop attacks the knight on g3.
15.Nf1: The knight retreats to f1.
15…cxd4: You take on d4. White stands slightly better (eval 0.17).

Line 36: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.h5 Bh7 8.Nf3 Nd7

up to 6…h6 as line 35

7.h5: White plays h5 at once (6 %). Your bishop goes to h7, and usually this leads back to the main line.
7…Bh7: The pawn on h5 attacks your bishop; it steps to h7 and stays on the b1–h7 diagonal – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Nf3: White develops the knight – the normal move; after 8...Nd7 9.Bd3 the bishops are soon traded.
8…Nd7: Transposition: the same position as in the main line after 7.Nf3 7...Nd7 8.h5 8...Bh7 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 37: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.h4 h6

up to 5…Bg6 as line 36

6.Nf3: White skips 6.h4 for now (22 %); Stockfish considers h4 stronger (loss 0.18).
6…Nd7: The knight watches e5, as in the main line. Stockfish names 6...e6 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.04).
7.h4: White plays h4 after all (59 %).
7…h6: Transposition to the main line after 6.h4 6...h6 7.Nf3 7...Nd7 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 38: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6 8.O-O e6 9.Re1 Be7 10.c4 O-O 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.Bf4 Re8 13.Qc2 c5 14.dxc5 Bxc5 15.Rad1 Qb6

up to 6…Nd7 as line 37

7.Bd3: White offers the bishop trade on g6 without h4 (27 %). After Bxg6 hxg6 the h-file opens for you.
7…Ngf6: You develop the knight – Stockfish's first choice. 7...e6 leads to the same set-up.
8.O-O: White castles short. Stockfish names 8.Bg5 first (loss 0.07).
8…e6: Stockfish's first choice: the bishop on f8 gets air.
9.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file. Stockfish names 9.Bf4 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.03).
9…Be7: The bishop comes to e7, then you castle short. Stockfish agrees.
10.c4: 10.c4 gains space in the centre. Stockfish names the bishop trade 10.Bxg6 first, equally good.
10…O-O: You castle – level (eval −0.02).
11.Bxg6: White finally exchanges on g6 (88 %).
11…hxg6: Recapture with the h-pawn: your pawn structure stays firm, and the pawn on g6 shields your king.
12.Bf4: The bishop goes to f4. Stockfish wanted 12.Qe2 (loss 0.13).
12…Re8: Stockfish's move: the rook goes to the e-file and prepares c5.
13.Qc2: The queen goes to c2 and eyes g6.
13…c5: 13...c5 attacks d4 and opens the game for your pieces.
14.dxc5: White takes on c5.
14…Bxc5: You recapture with the bishop; it stands actively on c5 and aims at f2.
15.Rad1: The rook goes to the open d-file and attacks your knight on d7.
15…Qb6: The queen goes to b6 and presses on b2 and f2. Level (eval 0.02).

Line 39: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6 8.O-O e6 9.Re1 Be7 10.Bg5 O-O 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.Qe2 Qb6 13.c3 c5 14.Rad1 Rad8 15.h4 cxd4

up to 9…Be7 as line 38

10.Bg5: The bishop pins your knight on f6. Stockfish names the bishop trade 10.Bxg6 first (loss 0.09).
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Bxg6: White trades the bishops.
11…hxg6: You recapture with the h-pawn.
12.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 and connects the rooks.
12…Qb6: The queen goes to b6 and attacks b2.
13.c3: White supports d4.
13…c5: 13...c5 attacks d4.
14.Rad1: The rook covers d4.
14…Rad8: The rook goes to the d-file.
15.h4: 15.h4 gains space on the kingside.
15…cxd4: You take on d4 – level (eval 0).

Line 40: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6 8.O-O e6 9.c4 Be7 10.b3 O-O 11.Bb2 c5 12.Qe2 cxd4 13.Rad1 Qc7 14.Nxd4 Rfe8 15.h4 a6

up to 8…e6 as line 39

9.c4: White gains space in the centre (27 %).
9…Be7: The bishop comes to e7, then castling follows – Stockfish's first choice.
10.b3: 10.b3 prepares the bishop on b2. Stockfish names 10.Bxg6 first, equally good.
10…O-O: You castle – the position is level (eval −0.06).
11.Bb2: The bishop goes to b2 onto the long diagonal.
11…c5: 11...c5 attacks d4.
12.Qe2: The queen goes to e2.
12…cxd4: You take on d4.
13.Rad1: White first brings the rook and recaptures later.
13…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and eyes the knight on g3.
14.Nxd4: White takes back the pawn on d4.
14…Rfe8: The rook goes to e8.
15.h4: 15.h4 threatens to attack your bishop on g6 with h4–h5.
15…a6: 15...a6 takes the square b5 away from the knight on d4. Level (eval 0).

Line 41: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6 8.O-O e6 9.c4 Be7 10.Bf4 O-O 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.Qe2 Re8 13.Rfd1 Qc8 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6

up to 9…Be7 as line 40

10.Bf4: The bishop develops to f4. Stockfish names the bishop trade 10.Bxg6 first, equally good. All of these games were drawn.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice. All games along this path ended in a draw.
11.Bxg6: White trades the bishops.
11…hxg6: Recapture with the h-pawn; the h-file opens for your rook.
12.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 – Stockfish's first choice.
12…Re8: Stockfish's move: the rook goes to e8 and later supports c5 and e5. Level (eval 0).
13.Rfd1: The rook goes to the d-file and supports d4.
13…Qc8: The queen goes to c8 and supports c6–c5.
14.Ne4: The knight offers a trade.
14…Nxe4: You trade the knights.
15.Qxe4: The queen recaptures.
15…Nf6: The knight attacks the queen on e4. Level (eval 0.13).

Line 42: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6 8.O-O e6 9.c4 Be7 10.Re1

up to 9…Be7 as line 41

10.Re1: Transposition: the same position arises after 9.Re1 9...Be7 10.c4 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 43: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6 8.O-O e6 9.b3 Be7 10.Bb2 O-O 11.c4

up to 8…e6 as line 42

9.b3: White prepares Bb2 (13 %).
9…Be7: You calmly continue developing. Stockfish names 9...Bd6 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.06).
10.Bb2: The bishop goes to b2 – Stockfish's first choice. 82 % of these games were drawn.
10…O-O: You castle. Level; most of these games ended in a draw.
11.c4: Transposition: the same position arises when White plays c2–c4 first and b2–b3 afterwards – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 44: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6 8.Bxg6 hxg6 9.Bg5 Qa5 10.c3 e6 11.O-O Be7 12.Re1 Qc7 13.Qe2 c5 14.Ne5 O-O 15.Nxd7 Qxd7

up to 7…Ngf6 as line 43

8.Bxg6: White trades the bishops at once. Stockfish names 8.Bg5 first (loss 0.06).
8…hxg6: You recapture with the h-pawn – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Bg5: The bishop pins your knight on f6.
9…Qa5: The queen gives check and attacks the bishop on g5.
10.c3: White blocks the check with the pawn.
10…e6: 10...e6 opens the bishop on f8.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…Be7: The bishop develops to e7.
12.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
12…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and eyes the knight on g3.
13.Qe2: The queen goes to e2.
13…c5: 13...c5 attacks d4.
14.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 and attacks your knight on d7.
14…O-O: You castle.
15.Nxd7: White trades the knights.
15…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen. Level (eval 0.02).

Line 45: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Ngf6 9.Re1 Be7 10.c3 O-O 11.Nh4 c5 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Bg5 Qc7 15.Qf3 Rad8

up to 6…Nd7 as line 44

7.Bc4: White puts the bishop on c4 (10 %); Stockfish considers 7.h4 stronger (loss 0.23).
7…e6: You close the diagonal of the bishop on c4 against f7 and open your bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.O-O: White castles short. Stockfish names 8.Qe2 first but sees no difference.
8…Ngf6: The other knight comes to f6. Stockfish agrees.
9.Re1: The rook goes to e1. Stockfish names 9.Qe2 first, equally good.
9…Be7: The bishop comes to e7, then you castle.
10.c3: White supports d4. Stockfish names 10.Nh4 first, equally good – the knight wants to trade your bishop on g6.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Nh4: The knight attacks the bishop on g6. White wants the bishop pair.
11…c5: Stockfish's move: the lever c5 against d4. After Nxg6 hxg6 your structure is firm (eval 0.00).
12.Nxg6: White trades the knight for your bishop on g6.
12…hxg6: You recapture with the h-pawn – towards the centre, as usual in the Caro-Kann.
13.dxc5: White takes on c5.
13…Nxc5: The knight recaptures and stands actively.
14.Bg5: The bishop attacks your knight on f6.
14…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and eyes the knight on g3.
15.Qf3: The queen increases the pressure on f6.
15…Rad8: The rook goes to the open d-file. Level (eval 0).

Line 46: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Ngf6 9.Re1 Be7 10.Nh4 O-O 11.c3

up to 9…Be7 as line 45

10.Nh4: The knight attacks the bishop on g6 at once.
10…O-O: Stockfish's move: you castle and let White exchange on g6.
11.c3: White supports d4. Transposition: this position also arises by another move order – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 47: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Ngf6 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Re1 Nd5 11.Bb3 O-O 12.c4 Nb4 13.a3 Nd3 14.Rd1 Nxc1 15.Raxc1 Nf6

up to 8…Ngf6 as line 46

9.Qe2: White puts the queen on the e-file (44 %), against your pawn on e6.
9…Be7: You develop the bishop – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Re1: White strengthens the e-file; Stockfish wanted 10.Ne5 (loss 0.00).
10…Nd5: The knight stands centrally on d5 and blocks the bishop on c4. Stockfish preferred to castle (10...O-O, loss 0.07).
11.Bb3: The bishop retreats to b3. Stockfish names 11.Bd3 first (loss 0.05).
11…O-O: Stockfish's move: you castle and your development is complete.
12.c4: The pawn attacks your knight on d5.
12…Nb4: The knight steps to b4 and wants to reach d3.
13.a3: The pawn attacks the knight on b4.
13…Nd3: The knight jumps to d3 and attacks the rook on e1 and the bishop on c1.
14.Rd1: The rook steps to d1 and attacks the knight on d3.
14…Nxc1: You take the bishop on c1 – White loses the bishop pair.
15.Raxc1: White recaptures with the rook.
15…Nf6: The knight goes to f6. Level (eval 0.02).

Line 48: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Ngf6 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Bb3 O-O 11.Nh4 a5 12.a4 Qb6 13.Rd1 c5 14.Be3 cxd4 15.Bxd4 Bc5

up to 9…Be7 as line 47

10.Bb3: White brings the bishop to b3 as a precaution.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Nh4: The knight attacks your bishop on g6.
11…a5: 11...a5 threatens to drive away the bishop on b3 with a5–a4.
12.a4: White stops the a-pawn.
12…Qb6: The queen goes to b6 and eyes the bishop on b3 and d4.
13.Rd1: The rook covers d4.
13…c5: 13...c5 attacks d4.
14.Be3: The bishop covers d4.
14…cxd4: You take on d4.
15.Bxd4: The bishop recaptures and attacks your queen on b6.
15…Bc5: The bishop steps in between and offers a trade. Level (eval 0).

Line 49: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Ngf6 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Bg5 O-O 11.Rad1 Qc7 12.c3 Rfe8 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd5 15.h4 h6

up to 9…Be7 as line 48

10.Bg5: The bishop pins your knight on f6. Stockfish names 10.Ne5 first, equally good.
10…O-O: You castle.
11.Rad1: The rook goes to the d-file.
11…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and eyes the knight on g3.
12.c3: White supports d4.
12…Rfe8: The rook goes to e8.
13.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5.
13…Nxe5: You trade off the strong knight on e5.
14.dxe5: White recaptures with the pawn and attacks your knight on f6.
14…Nd5: The knight jumps to d5 – a strong square.
15.h4: 15.h4 supports the bishop on g5.
15…h6: 15...h6 puts the question to the bishop on g5. Level (eval 0).

Line 50: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Nf3 Nd7 7.Bc4 e6 8.Qe2 Ngf6 9.O-O

up to 7…e6 as line 49

8.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Ngf6: The knight comes to f6 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.O-O: Transposition: the same position arises after 8.O-O 8...Ngf6 9.Qe2 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 51: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.h4 h6 9.Nf4 Bxf4 10.Bxf4 Nf6 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.O-O-O Nd5 13.Bd2 O-O 14.Bd3 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 a5

up to 5…Bg6 as line 50

6.Bc4: White plays 6.Bc4 without h4 (9 %); Stockfish considers it inaccurate (loss 0.37).
6…e6: You block the diagonal against f7 and free your bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.N1e2: The knight goes to e2 and wants to hunt the bishop on g6 via f4 (97 %).
7…Bd6: The bishop goes actively to d6 and controls f4. Stockfish wanted 7...Nf6 (loss 0.18).
8.h4: Again White threatens h5 to trap your bishop on g6.
8…h6: The square h7 is cleared – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Nf4: The knight attacks the bishop on g6 (97 %).
9…Bxf4: You trade the bishop for the knight on f4 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Bxf4: White recaptures with the bishop and has the bishop pair.
10…Nf6: The knight comes to f6 – Stockfish agrees.
11.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 and prepares castling long. Stockfish names 11.Be2 first (loss 0.09).
11…Nbd7: You develop the other knight. Stockfish names 11...b5 first (loss 0.11).
12.O-O-O: White castles long (63 %).
12…Nd5: Stockfish's move: the knight attacks the bishop on f4 and stands strongly on d5.
13.Bd2: The bishop steps away from your knight on d5.
13…O-O: You castle short – the kings are on opposite sides.
14.Bd3: White offers the trade of the light-squared bishops.
14…Bxd3: You trade the bishops.
15.Qxd3: The queen recaptures.
15…a5: 15...a5 starts your attack on the queenside, where White's king stands. Level (eval 0.16).

Line 52: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.h4 h6 9.Nf4 Bxf4 10.Bxf4 Nf6 11.Qe2 Nbd7 12.h5 Bh7 13.O-O-O Nd5 14.Bd2 O-O 15.Bd3 Bxd3

up to 11…Nbd7 as line 51

12.h5: White pushes your bishop back to h7; Stockfish preferred 12.O-O-O (loss 0.12).
12…Bh7: The bishop retreats to h7 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.O-O-O: White castles long. White won 58 % of these games.
13…Nd5: Stockfish's move: the knight attacks the bishop on f4 and stands centrally on d5.
14.Bd2: The bishop steps away from your knight on d5.
14…O-O: You castle short – the kings are on opposite sides.
15.Bd3: White offers the trade of the light-squared bishops.
15…Bxd3: You trade the bishops. Level (eval 0.09).

Line 53: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.h4 h6 9.Nf4 Bxf4 10.Bxf4 Nf6 11.h5 Bh7 12.Qe2 b5 13.Bb3 O-O 14.Be5 Nbd7 15.O-O Nd5

up to 10…Nf6 as line 52

11.h5: White pushes the bishop back (24 %); Stockfish wanted 11.Be2 (loss 0.10).
11…Bh7: The bishop retreats to h7 – Stockfish's first choice. Almost three quarters of these games ended in a draw.
12.Qe2: The queen goes to e2. Stockfish wanted 12.O-O (loss 0.18) – you stand slightly better (eval −0.18). Black won half of these games.
12…b5: 12...b5 attacks the bishop on c4.
13.Bb3: The bishop steps to b3.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.Be5: The bishop goes to e5 and attacks your knight on f6.
14…Nbd7: The knight attacks the bishop on e5.
15.O-O: White castles.
15…Nd5: The knight jumps to d5 – a strong square. You stand slightly better (eval −0.12).

Line 54: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.h4 h6 9.Nf4 Bxf4 10.Bxf4 Nf6 11.Qd2 O-O 12.h5 Bh7 13.Be2 Nd5 14.Be5 a5 15.Rc1 f6

up to 10…Nf6 as line 53

11.Qd2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.16); it wanted 11.Qe2.
11…O-O: Stockfish's move: you castle – level (eval 0).
12.h5: The pawn attacks your bishop on g6.
12…Bh7: The bishop steps to h7 and stays on the b1–h7 diagonal.
13.Be2: The bishop develops to e2.
13…Nd5: The knight jumps to d5 and attacks the bishop on f4.
14.Be5: The bishop steps to e5 and attacks your knight on b8.
14…a5: 14...a5 gains space on the queenside.
15.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
15…f6: 15...f6 drives away the bishop on e5. Level (eval 0.03).

Line 55: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.Nf4 Nf6 9.c3 Nbd7 10.Qf3 Nb6 11.Bb3 Bxf4 12.Bxf4 a5 13.a4 Nbd5 14.Be5 h5 15.h4 O-O

up to 7…Bd6 as line 54

8.Nf4: White attacks the bishop on g6 at once (28 %) – inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.19); it wanted 8.h4 first.
8…Nf6: You develop the knight and let White exchange on g6. Stockfish agrees.
9.c3: White supports d4 (36 %).
9…Nbd7: You develop the knight; Stockfish wanted 9...Qc7 (loss 0.11).
10.Qf3: The queen goes to f3. Stockfish names 10.h4 first (loss 0.09). 69 % of these games were drawn.
10…Nb6: The knight attacks the bishop on c4; Stockfish wanted 10...Qc7 (loss 0.15).
11.Bb3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.13); it wanted 11.Nxg6.
11…Bxf4: Stockfish's move: you trade off the strong knight on f4 – level (eval 0).
12.Bxf4: White recaptures with the bishop and has the bishop pair.
12…a5: 12...a5 threatens to drive away the bishop on b3 with a5–a4.
13.a4: White stops the a-pawn.
13…Nbd5: The knight jumps to d5 and attacks the bishop on f4.
14.Be5: The bishop steps to e5 and attacks your knight on f6.
14…h5: 14...h5 stops White's h-pawn.
15.h4: White puts the pawn in front of it.
15…O-O: You castle. Level (eval 0).

Line 56: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.Nf4 Nf6 9.Bb3 Qc7 10.Qf3 Nbd7 11.h4 a5 12.a4 e5 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Be3 O-O-O 15.O-O-O exd4

up to 8…Nf6 as line 55

9.Bb3: For Stockfish as good as 9.O-O; the position is level (eval −0.03).
9…Qc7: The queen lines up behind the bishop on d6 and increases the pressure on f4. Stockfish's first choice.
10.Qf3: The queen goes to f3 – Stockfish's first choice.
10…Nbd7: The knight comes to d7; Stockfish sees hardly any difference (loss 0.06).
11.h4: 11.h4 wants to push the pawn to h5 and harass your bishop on g6.
11…a5: The pawn threatens a4 and wants to harass the bishop on b3. Stockfish names 11...e5 first; the difference is small (loss 0.07).
12.a4: White stops your a-pawn.
12…e5: 12...e5 attacks the knight on f4 and opens the centre.
13.Nxg6: White trades the knight for your bishop.
13…hxg6: You recapture with the h-pawn; your rook on h8 now stands on the half-open h-file against h4.
14.Be3: The bishop covers d4.
14…O-O-O: You castle long.
15.O-O-O: White castles long as well.
15…exd4: You take on d4. Level (eval 0.05).

Line 57: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.Nf4 Nf6 9.h4 Qc7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.Bg5 c5 13.dxc5 Qxc5 14.Ne4 Qe5 15.Bd3 Nxe4

up to 8…Nf6 as line 56

9.h4: White advances the h-pawn (14 %).
9…Qc7: The queen increases the pressure on f4 – Stockfish's first choice. Careful, White: after 10.Qf3 Stockfish grabs a pawn with 10...Bxc2.
10.Nxg6: White exchanges on g6, but this opens the h-file for your rook on h8 against the pawn on h4. Stockfish wanted 10.Qf3 (loss 0.08).
10…hxg6: Recapture with the h-pawn: your rook now looks down the h-file at h4.
11.Qf3: The queen goes to f3 – Stockfish's first choice. Black won half of these games.
11…Nbd7: The course move; Stockfish wanted 11...c5 at once (loss 0.07).
12.Bg5: A mistake (loss 0.41): Stockfish wanted 12.Ne4. After 12...c5 Black is better (eval −0.36).
12…c5: Stockfish's move: you attack the centre at once. After 13.dxc5 13...Qxc5 your queen has lots of room.
13.dxc5: White takes on c5 and attacks your bishop on d6.
13…Qxc5: The queen recaptures and attacks the bishops on c4 and g5.
14.Ne4: The knight attacks your queen on c5 and the bishop on d6.
14…Qe5: The queen steps to e5, covers d6 and attacks the bishop on g5.
15.Bd3: The bishop covers the knight on e4.
15…Nxe4: You take the knight on e4. You stand better (eval −0.31).

Line 58: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.Nf4 Nf6 9.O-O Qc7 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.Rd1 O-O 13.c3 Rae8 14.Bg5 Nh7 15.Bd2 Nhf6

up to 8…Nf6 as line 57

9.O-O: White castles – Stockfish's first choice.
9…Qc7: The queen adds pressure on f4; Stockfish saw 9...Nbd7 as equal (loss 0.04).
10.Nxg6: White trades the knight for your bishop.
10…hxg6: You recapture with the h-pawn; your rook on h8 gets the h-file.
11.Qf3: The queen goes to f3.
11…Nbd7: The knight develops to d7.
12.Rd1: The rook goes to the d-file.
12…O-O: You castle short.
13.c3: White supports d4.
13…Rae8: The rook goes to e8 and prepares e6–e5.
14.Bg5: The bishop attacks your knight on f6.
14…Nh7: The knight attacks the bishop on g5.
15.Bd2: The bishop retreats to d2.
15…Nhf6: The knight returns to f6 – a repetition is in the air. Level (eval 0).

Line 59: 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.Bc4 e6 7.N1e2 Bd6 8.O-O Qc7 9.f4 Ne7 10.Bd3 Nd7 11.c4 Rd8 12.f5 Bxf5 13.Nxf5 exf5 14.Kh1 O-O 15.Bg5 h6

up to 7…Bd6 as line 58

8.O-O: A mistake (loss 0.28): Stockfish wanted 8.h4. Without that advance your bishop on g6 is left in peace, and Black is already better (eval −0.21).
8…Qc7: The queen lines up behind the bishop on d6: together they aim at g3 and h2 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.f4: White shields himself with f4 but weakens the squares e3 and e4 and the diagonal to his own king. Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.22); Black is better (eval −0.44).
9…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7 and can later go to f5 or d5. Stockfish names 9...Nh6 first by a hair (loss 0.08).
10.Bd3: White offers the bishop trade. Stockfish wanted 10.Nc3 (loss 0.15) – you already stand better (eval −0.44).
10…Nd7: You develop your last knight – Stockfish's first choice.
11.c4: 11.c4 gains space but weakens d4. Stockfish again wanted 11.Nc3 (loss 0.14); you stand better (eval −0.59).
11…Rd8: Stockfish's move: the rook goes to the d-file. Black is better (eval −0.36).
12.f5: White sacrifices the pawn on f5 to drive your bishop away and open lines.
12…Bxf5: You take the pawn on f5.
13.Nxf5: White trades the knight for your bishop.
13…exf5: You recapture with the e-pawn – a pawn up.
14.Kh1: A precautionary move: the king goes to h1.
14…O-O: You castle.
15.Bg5: The bishop attacks your knight on e7.
15…h6: 15...h6 puts the question to the bishop. You are a pawn up and stand slightly better (eval −0.12).

Line 60: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.Nh4 c5 8.c3 Be4 9.Nd2 Nc6 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.g3 Be7 12.d5 Ncxe5 13.f4 exf3 14.Nxf3 O-O 15.dxe6 fxe6

up to 2…d5 as line 59

3.e5: The Advance Variation (21 %): White gains space and locks the centre. Your bishop gets outside the pawn chain with 3...Bf5, then come e6 and the lever c5 against d4.
3…Bf5: The bishop comes out before e6 locks it in – the big advantage over the French Defense.
4.Nf3: The Short Variation (36 %): White develops calmly and plays for space.
4…e6: You support d5 and open the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
5.Be2: White develops the bishop modestly (88 %).
5…Nd7: The knight goes to d7 and later supports c5 and f6. Stockfish names 5...Ne7 first by a hair (loss 0.04).
6.O-O: White castles short – the most frequent move (95 %). Stockfish names 6.Nbd2 first but sees no difference. White won 46 % of these games.
6…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7 – it can go to f5, g6 or c6. Stockfish names 6...a5 first by a hair (loss 0.00).
7.Nh4: White hunts your bishop on f5 (51 %); Stockfish considers this inaccurate (loss 0.24).
7…c5: You leave the bishop where it is and strike in the centre – Stockfish's first choice.
8.c3: White supports d4 against your pressure with c5 – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Be4: The bishop steps to e4 and stays active – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Nd2: The knight attacks your bishop on e4.
9…Nc6: The knight increases the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Nxe4: White trades the knight for your bishop; you recapture with the d-pawn.
10…dxe4: You recapture with the pawn; the pawn on e4 cramps White.
11.g3: 11.g3 supports the knight on h4 and takes the square f3 away from your pawn on e4.
11…Be7: Stockfish's move: the bishop attacks the knight on h4.
12.d5: White advances and attacks your knight on c6 – in return White gives up the pawn on e5.
12…Ncxe5: You take the pawn on e5 – now you are a pawn up.
13.f4: 13.f4 attacks your knight on e5.
13…exf3: You capture en passant; your pawn now stands on f3 and attacks the bishop on e2.
14.Nxf3: The knight takes the pawn on f3 and attacks your knight on e5.
14…O-O: You castle – the knight on d7 covers e5, so you don't have to trade.
15.dxe6: White trades on e6 and opens the position.
15…fxe6: You recapture with the f-pawn, and the f-file opens for your rook. You are a pawn up, White has active pieces for it – level (eval 0.08).

Line 61: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.Nbd2 c5 8.c4 Nc6 9.cxd5 exd5 10.dxc5 Nxc5 11.Nb3 Nxb3 12.Qxb3 Qb6 13.Qxd5 Bc5 14.Qc4 O-O 15.Qf4 Be6

up to 6…Ne7 as line 60

7.Nbd2: The knight goes to d2 and wants to continue via b3. Stockfish names 7.c3 first; the difference is small (loss 0.04). White won 53 % of these games.
7…c5: The lever against d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.c4: With 8.c4 White attacks your pawn on d5 and opens the centre.
8…Nc6: Stockfish's move: the knight increases the pressure on d4 (eval 0.31).
9.cxd5: White trades on d5.
9…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn; your bishop on f8 gets a free diagonal.
10.dxc5: White takes on c5 – your pawn on d5 is now isolated.
10…Nxc5: The knight recaptures and stands actively.
11.Nb3: The knight attacks your knight on c5.
11…Nxb3: You trade the knights.
12.Qxb3: The queen recaptures and attacks b7 and d5.
12…Qb6: The queen stands opposite and offers a trade – in return you give up the pawn on d5.
13.Qxd5: White takes the pawn on d5 – a pawn up.
13…Bc5: The bishop comes to c5 and, together with the queen on b6, aims at f2 – for the pawn you have the lead in development.
14.Qc4: The queen attacks your bishop on c5.
14…O-O: You castle – the bishop on c5 is covered by the queen on b6.
15.Qf4: The queen attacks your bishop on f5.
15…Be6: The bishop steps to e6. For the pawn you have active pieces – Stockfish sees White only slightly ahead (eval 0.22).

Line 62: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.c3 c5 8.dxc5 Nxc5 9.Nd4 Bg6 10.Be3 Nc6 11.c4 dxc4 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Nd2 c3 14.bxc3 Be7 15.Nb3 Nd7

up to 6…Ne7 as line 61

7.c3: White supports d4 with the pawn (9 %).
7…c5: The lever against d4; Stockfish wanted 7...h6 first (loss 0.13).
8.dxc5: White releases the tension – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Nxc5: Stockfish's move: you recapture with the knight, which stands actively on c5 (eval 0.42).
9.Nd4: The knight jumps to d4 and attacks your bishop on f5 – Stockfish's first choice. White stands somewhat better (eval 0.50).
9…Bg6: The bishop steps to g6. Stockfish names 9...a6 first, hardly any difference (loss 0.02).
10.Be3: The bishop develops to e3 and supports the knight on d4. Stockfish names 10.h4 first (loss 0.04).
10…Nc6: The knight attacks the knight on d4.
11.c4: 11.c4 attacks your pawn on d5.
11…dxc4: You take the pawn on c4 – a pawn up.
12.Nxc6: White trades the knights.
12…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn.
13.Nd2: The knight attacks your pawn on c4.
13…c3: The pawn moves on to c3 and attacks the knight on d2.
14.bxc3: White takes the pawn back – material is equal again.
14…Be7: The bishop goes to e7 and prepares castling.
15.Nb3: The knight goes to b3 and covers d4 and c5.
15…Nd7: The knight attacks e5. Your queenside pawns are weak – Stockfish sees White ahead (eval 0.58).

Line 63: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.c3 c5 8.dxc5 Nxc5 9.Nd4 a6 10.Nd2 Bd3 11.N2b3 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 Ng6 13.f4 Nxb3 14.axb3 Bc5 15.Be3 Ne7

up to 9.Nd4 as line 62

9…a6: 9...a6 takes the square b5 away from the knight on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Nd2: The knight develops to d2.
10…Bd3: The bishop attacks the bishop on e2 and offers a trade.
11.N2b3: The knight attacks your knight on c5.
11…Bxe2: You trade the bishops.
12.Qxe2: The queen recaptures.
12…Ng6: The knight attacks the pawn on e5.
13.f4: White covers e5 with the f-pawn.
13…Nxb3: You trade the knights.
14.axb3: White recaptures with the a-pawn.
14…Bc5: The bishop attacks the knight on d4.
15.Be3: The bishop covers the knight on d4.
15…Ne7: The knight goes to e7 and on to f5. White stands marginally better (eval 0.12).

Line 64: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.c3 c5 8.Be3 Nc6 9.a3 Be7 10.b4 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Ndxe5 12.Nxf5 exf5 13.Ra2 Nc4 14.Bxc4 dxc4 15.Qe2 O-O

up to 7…c5 as line 63

8.Be3: A mistake according to Stockfish (loss 0.50): Black won 64 % of these games.
8…Nc6: The knight attacks d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.a3: 9.a3 prepares b2–b4. Stockfish wanted 9.Nbd2 (loss 0.14) – you stand slightly better (eval −0.12).
9…Be7: Stockfish's move: the bishop comes to e7 (eval −0.17).
10.b4: White advances with 10.b4.
10…cxd4: You take on d4 and attack the bishop on e3.
11.Nxd4: The knight recaptures and attacks your bishop on f5 and the knight on c6.
11…Ndxe5: You take the pawn on e5 – a pawn up.
12.Nxf5: White trades the knight for your bishop.
12…exf5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
13.Ra2: The rook goes to a2 and covers the second rank.
13…Nc4: The knight jumps to c4 and attacks the bishop on e3.
14.Bxc4: White trades the bishop for your knight.
14…dxc4: You recapture with the d-pawn.
15.Qe2: The queen attacks your pawn on c4.
15…O-O: You castle. You are a pawn up but stand only marginally better (eval −0.10).

Line 65: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.c3 c5 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Nd4 Ncxe5 12.Nxf5 exf5 13.Bxc5 Nxc5 14.Nb3 Qd6 15.Nxc5 Qxc5

up to 8…Nc6 as line 64

9.Nbd2: The knight develops to d2 – Stockfish's first choice. Black won 78 % of these games.
9…Be7: Stockfish's move: the bishop comes to e7, and the game is level (eval 0).
10.dxc5: White takes on c5.
10…Bxc5: You recapture with the bishop and offer a trade for the bishop on e3.
11.Nd4: The knight attacks your bishop on f5 and the knight on c6.
11…Ncxe5: You take the pawn on e5.
12.Nxf5: White trades the knight for your bishop.
12…exf5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
13.Bxc5: White trades the bishops.
13…Nxc5: The knight recaptures.
14.Nb3: The knight attacks your knight on c5.
14…Qd6: The queen covers the knight on c5.
15.Nxc5: White trades the knights.
15…Qxc5: The queen recaptures. You are a pawn up; the position is level (eval 0).

Line 66: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.c3 c5 8.Nh4

up to 7…c5 as line 65

8.Nh4: The knight attacks your bishop on f5. Stockfish wanted 8.dxc5 (loss 0.25). Transposition: the same position also arises by another move order – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 67: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.c3 c5 8.a3 Nc6 9.Be3

up to 7…c5 as line 66

8.a3: A mistake (loss 0.53): White loses time instead of releasing the tension with 8.dxc5. Black is better (eval −0.18).
8…Nc6: Stockfish's move: the knight increases the pressure on d4.
9.Be3: The bishop develops to e3. Transposition: this position also arises by another move order – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 68: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.b3 c5 8.c4 dxc4 9.bxc4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nc6 11.Nxf5 exf5 12.Nc3 Bc5 13.Rb1 b6 14.Bf3 Ndxe5 15.Bxc6 Nxc6

up to 6…Ne7 as line 67

7.b3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.26); it wanted 7.Nbd2.
7…c5: The lever against d4. Stockfish saw 7...Rc8 as equal (loss 0).
8.c4: White attacks your pawn on d5 – Stockfish's first choice.
8…dxc4: Stockfish's move: you take on c4 and open the position (eval 0.12).
9.bxc4: White recaptures with the b-pawn.
9…cxd4: You take on d4.
10.Nxd4: The knight recaptures and attacks your bishop on f5.
10…Nc6: The knight attacks the knight on d4.
11.Nxf5: White trades the knight for your bishop.
11…exf5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
12.Nc3: The knight develops to c3.
12…Bc5: The bishop goes to c5 and aims at f2.
13.Rb1: The rook goes to the half-open b-file.
13…b6: 13...b6 covers the bishop on c5 and closes the b-file.
14.Bf3: The bishop attacks your knight on c6.
14…Ndxe5: You take the pawn on e5 and attack the bishop on f3.
15.Bxc6: White trades on c6 with check.
15…Nxc6: You recapture. You are a pawn up, White has play against your king in the centre – level (eval 0.05).

Line 69: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Ne7 7.Be3 Bg6 8.Nh4 Nf5 9.Nxf5 Bxf5 10.g4 Bg6 11.f4 f6 12.c4 Be7 13.Nd2 fxe5 14.dxe5 O-O 15.cxd5 cxd5

up to 6…Ne7 as line 68

7.Be3: White supports d4 with the bishop (10 %).
7…Bg6: The bishop steps to g6 in advance. Stockfish names 7...h6 first by a hair (loss 0.00).
8.Nh4: White attacks the bishop (86 %).
8…Nf5: The knight attacks the knight on h4 and the bishop on e3 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Nxf5: White trades the knight for your knight on f5. White won 63 % of these games.
9…Bxf5: You recapture with the bishop. But White has space: Stockfish shows 10.g4 10...Bg6 11.f4 (eval 0.44).
10.g4: White attacks your bishop on f5.
10…Bg6: The bishop steps to g6.
11.f4: White threatens to shut in your bishop with f4–f5.
11…f6: 11...f6 attacks the pawn on e5 and gives the bishop the square f7.
12.c4: White attacks your pawn on d5.
12…Be7: The bishop develops to e7.
13.Nd2: The knight develops to d2.
13…fxe5: You take on e5.
14.dxe5: White recaptures with the d-pawn.
14…O-O: You castle; your rook now stands on the half-open f-file.
15.cxd5: White trades on d5.
15…cxd5: You recapture with the c-pawn. White stands slightly better (eval 0.26).

Line 70: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.a3 Nd7 6.Be2 Ne7 7.O-O c5 8.dxc5 Nc6 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.b4 Ndxe5 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Bb5 Nc6 14.Nd2 O-O 15.Re1 Nd4

up to 4…e6 as line 69

5.a3: White takes the square b4 away from your bishop (8 %); inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.32).
5…Nd7: The knight goes to d7 and later supports c5 or f6 – Stockfish's first choice.
6.Be2: The bishop goes to e2 and prepares castling. Stockfish names 6.Nbd2 first, equally good.
6…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7; Stockfish wanted 6...f6 (loss 0.06).
7.O-O: White castles short – Stockfish's first choice.
7…c5: The lever against d4 – too early here according to Stockfish (loss 0.14); it wanted 7...h6.
8.dxc5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.16); it wanted 8.b4.
8…Nc6: Stockfish's move: the knight attacks the pawn on e5 (eval 0.17).
9.Bg5: The bishop attacks your queen on d8.
9…Be7: The bishop steps in between and offers a trade.
10.Bxe7: White trades the bishops.
10…Qxe7: You recapture with the queen; she now attacks the pawn on c5.
11.b4: White covers c5 with 11.b4.
11…Ndxe5: You take the pawn on e5 – material is level again.
12.Nxe5: White trades the knights.
12…Nxe5: You recapture with the other knight; it stands strongly in the centre.
13.Bb5: The bishop gives check on b5.
13…Nc6: The knight blocks the check.
14.Nd2: The knight comes to d2 and wants to go on to b3.
14…O-O: You castle – now the pin on the knight on c6 no longer bothers you.
15.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file against your queen on e7.
15…Nd4: The knight jumps into the centre and attacks the bishop on b5. Level (eval 0.15).

Line 71: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.a3 Nd7 6.Nbd2 h6 7.Be2 Ne7 8.O-O Bh7 9.Nb3 Ng6 10.g3 Be7 11.h4 O-O 12.c4 Re8 13.cxd5 exd5 14.Bd3 c5 15.Bf5 a5

up to 5…Nd7 as line 70

6.Nbd2: The knight goes to d2 – Stockfish's first choice.
6…h6: You give your bishop the retreat square h7. Stockfish wanted 6...f6 (loss 0.11).
7.Be2: The bishop goes to e2 and prepares castling.
7…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.O-O: White castles short. Stockfish names 8.Nb3 first, hardly any difference (loss 0.02).
8…Bh7: The bishop steps to h7 in advance; Stockfish wanted 8...a5 (loss 0.20).
9.Nb3: The knight goes to b3 and eyes c5 and a5.
9…Ng6: The knight goes to g6 and attacks e5.
10.g3: 10.g3 takes the square f4 away from your knight.
10…Be7: The bishop goes to e7 and prepares castling.
11.h4: 11.h4 threatens to drive away your knight on g6 with h4–h5.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.c4: With 12.c4 White attacks your pawn on d5.
12…Re8: The rook goes to e8 and supports the e-pawn.
13.cxd5: White trades on d5.
13…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn; the e-file opens for your rook.
14.Bd3: The bishop attacks your knight on g6 and offers a trade for your bishop on h7.
14…c5: 14...c5 attacks d4.
15.Bf5: The bishop goes to f5 and attacks the knights on g6 and d7.
15…a5: 15...a5 threatens to drive away the knight on b3 with a5–a4. White stands slightly better (eval 0.23).

Line 72: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.a3 Nd7 6.c4 Ne7 7.h3 Be4 8.Nbd2 c5 9.dxc5 a5 10.cxd5 Bxd5 11.Bc4 Nxc5 12.Qc2 Nc6 13.O-O Qb6 14.Rb1 Be7 15.Rd1 Rd8

up to 5…Nd7 as line 71

6.c4: White attacks your pawn on d5. Stockfish names 6.Nbd2 first (loss 0.06). Black won two thirds of these games.
6…Ne7: The knight develops to e7 and covers d5.
7.h3: 7.h3 takes the square g4 away from your bishop.
7…Be4: The bishop goes to e4 and attacks the knight on f3.
8.Nbd2: The knight attacks your bishop on e4.
8…c5: 8...c5 attacks d4.
9.dxc5: White takes on c5.
9…a5: 9...a5 prevents b2–b4, with which White would support the pawn on c5.
10.cxd5: White trades on d5.
10…Bxd5: The bishop recaptures and stands centrally.
11.Bc4: The bishop attacks your bishop on d5.
11…Nxc5: You win back the pawn on c5 – material is level.
12.Qc2: The queen goes to c2.
12…Nc6: The knight attacks e5.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…Qb6: The queen goes to b6 and presses on b2 and f2.
14.Rb1: The rook covers b2.
14…Be7: The bishop develops to e7.
15.Rd1: The rook goes to the d-file.
15…Rd8: The rook opposes the rook on d1. Level (eval 0).

Line 73: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.h4 h5 8.Nf4 Bh7 9.Nxh5 cxd4 10.Nb5 Nc6 11.Nxd4 Nge7 12.c3 Nxe5 13.Bg5 Qd6 14.Bf4 O-O-O 15.Qe2 f6

up to 3…Bf5 as line 72

4.Nc3: The Van der Wiel Attack (26 %): White wants to hunt the bishop on f5 with g4 and attack quickly. Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.37) – but the game gets sharp.
4…e6: You support d5 and open the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
5.g4: White attacks the bishop (97 %).
5…Bg6: The bishop steps to g6 – Stockfish's first choice.
6.Nge2: The knight wants to hunt the bishop on g6 via f4 (99 %).
6…c5: The counter-attack in the centre: when White storms on the wing, you strike in the middle. Stockfish's first choice.
7.h4: White threatens h5 to trap your bishop on g6 (60 %).
7…h5: You stop the h-pawn – Stockfish's first choice. Now your bishop can retreat to h7.
8.Nf4: The knight attacks the bishop on g6 and the pawn on h5 (99 %).
8…Bh7: The bishop retreats to h7; you give up the pawn on h5 and gain time for the counter-attack in the centre in return.
9.Nxh5: White takes the pawn (92 %).
9…cxd4: You take in the centre; Stockfish sees 9...Nc6 as equal (loss 0).
10.Nb5: The knight attacks d4 (58 %) – Stockfish's first choice.
10…Nc6: You cover d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Nxd4: White recaptures on d4. White has won the pawn on h5.
11…Nge7: The knight develops to e7; next Nxe5 is threatened. Stockfish's first choice.
12.c3: White supports d4. Stockfish names 12.Bg5 first, equally good.
12…Nxe5: Stockfish's move: you take the pawn on e5 (eval 0.00).
13.Bg5: The bishop attacks your knight on e7.
13…Qd6: The queen covers e7 and the knight on e5.
14.Bf4: The bishop attacks your knight on e5.
14…O-O-O: You castle long – the king is safe, and the rook comes to the d-file.
15.Qe2: The queen attacks your knight on e5 a second time.
15…f6: 15...f6 covers the knight on e5. Material is level, and so is the position (eval 0).

Line 74: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.h4 h5 8.Nf4 Bh7 9.Nxh5 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Nc6 11.Bb5 Ne7 12.Bg5 a6 13.Bxc6 Nxc6 14.Qf4 Qa5 15.O-O Qb4

up to 9…cxd4 as line 73

10.Qxd4: The queen recaptures (35 %).
10…Nc6: The knight attacks the queen with tempo – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Bb5: A mistake (loss 0.49): Stockfish wanted 11.Qa4. Now Black is better (eval −0.50).
11…Ne7: The knight comes to e7 and covers c6 – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Bg5: The bishop attacks your knight on e7 – Stockfish's first choice. White is a pawn up, yet you stand better (eval −0.46). Black won 55 % of these games.
12…a6: You question the bishop on b5 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Bxc6: White trades on c6 with check.
13…Nxc6: You recapture, and your knight attacks the queen on d4. Black is better (eval −0.37).
14.Qf4: The queen steps to f4.
14…Qa5: The queen attacks the knight on c3.
15.O-O: White castles.
15…Qb4: The queen offers a trade. Afterwards the position is nearly level (eval −0.09).

Line 75: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.h4 h5 8.Nf4 Bh7 9.g5 cxd4 10.Nb5 Be4 11.f3 Bf5 12.Nxd4 Ne7 13.Nxf5 Nxf5 14.Bh3 Qc7 15.Kf1 g6

up to 8…Bh7 as line 74

9.g5: White keeps the kingside closed. Stockfish wanted 9.Nxh5 (loss 0.31) – you stand better (eval −0.31). Even so, White won 71 % of these games.
9…cxd4: You take on d4 and attack the knight on c3.
10.Nb5: The knight steps to b5 and attacks d4.
10…Be4: The bishop attacks the rook on h1.
11.f3: The pawn attacks your bishop on e4.
11…Bf5: The bishop returns to f5.
12.Nxd4: White wins back the pawn on d4.
12…Ne7: The knight develops to e7 and covers f5.
13.Nxf5: White trades the knight for your bishop.
13…Nxf5: The knight recaptures and stands strongly on f5.
14.Bh3: The bishop attacks your knight on f5.
14…Qc7: The queen attacks the pawn on e5.
15.Kf1: The king goes to f1.
15…g6: 15...g6 supports the knight on f5. You stand better (eval −0.31).

Line 76: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.Be3 Nc6 8.dxc5 Nxe5 9.Nd4 Nd7 10.b4 Be7 11.h4 h6 12.Rh3 a5 13.a3 Ngf6 14.g5 hxg5 15.hxg5 Rxh3

up to 6…c5 as line 75

7.Be3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.24): Black is already better (eval −0.38).
7…Nc6: The knight attacks d4; Stockfish wanted 7...h5 (loss 0.09).
8.dxc5: White takes on c5 and gives up the pawn on e5 for it. Black won 41 % of these games.
8…Nxe5: You take the pawn on e5; Stockfish wanted 8...h5 (loss 0.28).
9.Nd4: The knight jumps into the centre to d4.
9…Nd7: The knight retreats; Stockfish wanted 9...Bxc5 (loss 0.00).
10.b4: 10.b4 holds on to the pawn on c5.
10…Be7: The bishop develops – Stockfish's first choice. Black won 71 % of these games.
11.h4: 11.h4 wants to push the pawn to h5 and drive away your bishop on g6.
11…h6: If White's pawn comes to h5, your bishop now has the square h7.
12.Rh3: A typical rook move: the rook enters play along the third rank.
12…a5: 12...a5 attacks White's queenside pawns.
13.a3: White supports b4.
13…Ngf6: The knight attacks the pawn on g4.
14.g5: White advances and attacks your knight on f6.
14…hxg5: You take on g5 and open the h-file.
15.hxg5: White recaptures and attacks the knight on f6 again.
15…Rxh3: You trade rooks on h3 – White has to recapture with the bishop from f1. Level (eval 0).

Line 77: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 c5 7.Be3 Nc6 8.dxc5 Nxe5 9.Nf4 Ne7 10.Bb5 N7c6 11.Qe2 Be4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.c3 h5 14.Rd1 Qh4 15.Qc2 Qxg4

up to 8…Nxe5 as line 76

9.Nf4: The knight attacks your bishop on g6. Stockfish wanted 9.Nd4 (loss 0.20).
9…Ne7: The knight comes to e7 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Bb5: Check! You block with the knight from e7.
10…N7c6: You block the check – almost equal to Stockfish's choice (loss 0.00).
11.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 and prepares castling long.
11…Be4: Stockfish's move: the bishop offers itself for a trade on e4 (eval 0).
12.Nxe4: White trades the knight for your bishop.
12…dxe4: You recapture with the d-pawn; your pawn on e4 cramps White.
13.c3: White takes the square d4 away from your knights.
13…h5: 13...h5 attacks the pawn on g4.
14.Rd1: The rook attacks your queen on d8 along the d-file.
14…Qh4: The queen steps to h4 and attacks g4.
15.Qc2: The queen attacks your pawn on e4.
15…Qxg4: You take the pawn on g4 – a pawn up. Level (eval 0).

Line 78: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.c4 e6 6.Nc3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 Nd7 8.Nge2 Be7 9.Ng3 Bg6 10.Nge2 Nh6 11.Nf4 Nf8 12.Be3 Nf5 13.g3 Qb6 14.Qb3 Rd8 15.Rd1 Qxb3

up to 3…Bf5 as line 77

4.h4: The Tal Variation (11 %): White wants to harass your bishop with h5. Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.10).
4…h5: You stop the h-pawn at once – but the square g5 is now weak. Stockfish's first choice.
5.c4: White attacks d5 (83 %); Stockfish wanted 5.Bd3 (loss 0.10).
5…e6: You support d5 – Stockfish's first choice.
6.Nc3: White develops the knight and keeps up the pressure on d5.
6…dxc4: You take on c4 and open the game for your pieces.
7.Bxc4: White recaptures with the bishop; it stands actively on c4 and aims at e6.
7…Nd7: The knight comes to d7 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Nge2: The knight goes via e2 so it can reach f4 or g3 and attack your bishop on f5.
8…Be7: Stockfish's move: the bishop comes to e7 and eyes h4.
9.Ng3: The knight attacks your bishop on f5 – it has to move.
9…Bg6: The bishop goes to g6, where the pawn on f7 covers it. Black won 43 % of these games.
10.Nge2: The knight returns to e2 – from there it wants to attack your bishop on g6 via f4.
10…Nh6: The knight goes to h6 and wants to reach f5 – there it is hard to drive away.
11.Nf4: The knight attacks your bishop on g6.
11…Nf8: From f8 the knight covers g6 and e6 – after a trade on g6 you recapture with the knight.
12.Be3: White covers d4 with the bishop.
12…Nf5: The knight comes to f5 and attacks the bishop on e3 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.g3: 13.g3 holds the pawn on h4 and keeps a grip on the squares f4 and h4.
13…Qb6: The queen attacks b2 and d4.
14.Qb3: White puts the queen opposite and offers a queen trade.
14…Rd8: The rook goes to the d-file and presses on d4.
15.Rd1: White covers d4 with the rook.
15…Qxb3: You trade queens. In the endgame the position is solid; Stockfish sees White only marginally ahead (eval 0.13).

Line 79: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.c4 e6 6.Nc3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 Nd7 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Qd2 Qb6 10.Nge2 Rd8 11.Bf4 Nh6 12.Rd1 Ng4 13.Qc1 c5 14.f3 cxd4 15.Nxd4 Ngxe5

up to 7…Nd7 as line 78

8.Bg5: The bishop attacks your queen on d8. Stockfish names 8.Nge2 first (loss 0.09).
8…Be7: You offer the bishop trade – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Qd2: Stockfish wanted 9.Nf3, but the difference is small (loss 0.04).
9…Qb6: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on b2 (eval −0.07).
10.Nge2: The knight covers d4.
10…Rd8: The rook goes to d8 and presses on d4.
11.Bf4: The bishop retreats to f4 and covers e5.
11…Nh6: The knight goes to h6 and wants to enter play via g4 or f5.
12.Rd1: The rook covers d4.
12…Ng4: The knight jumps to g4 and attacks e5 and f2.
13.Qc1: The queen leaves the d-file, where your rook stands.
13…c5: 13...c5 attacks d4.
14.f3: The pawn attacks your knight on g4.
14…cxd4: You take on d4 – the knight on g4 may stay where it is for now.
15.Nxd4: White recaptures and attacks your bishop on f5.
15…Ngxe5: You take the pawn on e5 and attack the bishop on c4 – a pawn up, level (eval 0).

Line 80: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.c4 e6 6.Bg5 f6 7.exf6 gxf6 8.Be3 Qb6 9.Qd2 Nh6 10.Nc3 Ng4 11.Nh3 Na6 12.Bd3 Nxe3 13.fxe3 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Qxb2 15.O-O O-O-O

up to 5…e6 as line 79

6.Bg5: A mistake (loss 0.69): after 6...f6 Black is better (eval −0.43).
6…f6: Stockfish's move: the pawn attacks the bishop on g5 and the pawn on e5.
7.exf6: White takes on f6.
7…gxf6: You recapture with the g-pawn and attack the bishop on g5.
8.Be3: The bishop retreats to e3.
8…Qb6: The queen attacks b2.
9.Qd2: The queen covers b2.
9…Nh6: The knight goes to h6 and wants to reach g4.
10.Nc3: The knight develops to c3.
10…Ng4: The knight attacks the bishop on e3.
11.Nh3: The knight develops to h3.
11…Na6: The knight develops to a6.
12.Bd3: White offers the trade of the light-squared bishops.
12…Nxe3: First you trade the knight for the bishop on e3.
13.fxe3: White recaptures with the f-pawn.
13…Bxd3: Then you trade the bishops.
14.Qxd3: The queen recaptures – now b2 is undefended.
14…Qxb2: You take the pawn on b2 – a pawn up.
15.O-O: White castles.
15…O-O-O: You castle long. You are a pawn up – level (eval 0).

Line 81: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.Bg5 Qb6 8.Nd2 c5 9.c4 Qxb2 10.Rd1 Nc6 11.Ne2 Nb4 12.Qf3 Nc2 13.Kf1 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Qxd4 15.Qb3 Be7

up to 4…h5 as line 80

5.Bd3: White offers the bishop trade. White won 43 % of these games.
5…Bxd3: You trade the bishops – Stockfish's first choice.
6.Qxd3: White recaptures with the queen.
6…e6: 6...e6 opens the bishop on f8 and supports d5. Stockfish names 6...Qa5+ first but sees no difference.
7.Bg5: The bishop attacks your queen on d8. Stockfish names 7.Nf3 first (loss 0.09).
7…Qb6: The queen steps to b6 and attacks b2 and d4.
8.Nd2: White develops the knight and leaves b2 undefended.
8…c5: 8...c5 attacks d4 – the typical lever in the Advance Variation.
9.c4: White sacrifices the pawn on b2 and opens the centre with 9.c4.
9…Qxb2: You take the pawn on b2 – a pawn up; the queen attacks the rook on a1.
10.Rd1: The rook steps to d1 and covers d4.
10…Nc6: The knight attacks d4.
11.Ne2: The knight covers d4.
11…Nb4: The knight attacks the queen on d3 and threatens Nc2+.
12.Qf3: The queen steps to f3.
12…Nc2: Check! The king has to go to f1 – White can no longer castle.
13.Kf1: The king goes to f1.
13…Nxd4: You take the pawn on d4 – now you are two pawns up.
14.Nxd4: White trades the knights.
14…Qxd4: The queen recaptures and stands strongly in the centre.
15.Qb3: The queen attacks b7.
15…Be7: The bishop confronts the bishop on g5 and prepares castling. You are two pawns up, White has the initiative – level (eval 0).

Line 82: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.Bg5 Qb6 8.Nd2 c5 9.c4 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qxd4 11.Qa3 Qxe5 12.Ne2 Be7 13.Qa4 Nd7 14.Rxb7 Rd8 15.Bf4 Qf5

up to 9…Qxb2 as line 81

10.Rb1: The rook attacks your queen on b2. Stockfish wanted 10.Rd1 (loss 0.10).
10…Qxd4: The queen takes the pawn on d4 – now you are two pawns up – and attacks the queen on d3.
11.Qa3: The queen steps to a3.
11…Qxe5: You take the pawn on e5 as well, with check – three pawns up.
12.Ne2: The knight blocks the check.
12…Be7: The bishop confronts the bishop on g5.
13.Qa4: The queen gives check from a4.
13…Nd7: The knight blocks the check.
14.Rxb7: The rook takes b7 and attacks the knight on d7.
14…Rd8: The rook covers the knight on d7.
15.Bf4: The bishop attacks your queen on e5.
15…Qf5: The queen steps to f5. You are two pawns up, White has a strong initiative – level (eval 0).

Line 83: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.Nf3 Qa5 8.Nbd2 Nh6 9.O-O Nf5 10.Nb3 Qa6 11.Qd1 Be7 12.g3 Nd7 13.Bg5 Bxg5 14.Nxg5 Rc8 15.c3 c5

up to 6…e6 as line 82

7.Nf3: White develops the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
7…Qa5: The queen gives check; later she goes to a6 and offers a trade against the queen on d3 there.
8.Nbd2: The knight blocks the check.
8…Nh6: The knight goes to h6 and on to f5.
9.O-O: White castles short.
9…Nf5: The knight comes to f5 – it stands firmly there, because your pawn on h5 prevents g2–g4.
10.Nb3: The knight attacks your queen on a5.
10…Qa6: On a6 the queen offers a trade.
11.Qd1: White avoids the queen trade.
11…Be7: The bishop goes to e7.
12.g3: 12.g3 secures the pawn on h4 and the square f4.
12…Nd7: The knight goes to d7.
13.Bg5: White offers the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
13…Bxg5: You trade the bishops.
14.Nxg5: White recaptures with the knight.
14…Rc8: The rook goes to c8 and prepares c6–c5.
15.c3: White supports d4.
15…c5: 15...c5 attacks d4. Level (eval 0.15).

Line 84: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Ne2 e6 6.Ng3 Bg6 7.Be2 c5 8.c3 Nc6 9.Be3 Qb6

up to 4…h5 as line 83

5.Ne2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.24); it wanted 5.Bd3.
5…e6: You support d5 – Stockfish's first choice.
6.Ng3: The knight attacks the bishop on f5 and the pawn on h5 (89 %).
6…Bg6: The bishop steps to g6 and covers h5 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Be2: A mistake (loss 0.82): Stockfish wanted 7.c4. Now Black is clearly better (eval −0.82).
7…c5: The lever against d4 – Stockfish's first choice. White has weakened his kingside, and you open the centre.
8.c3: White supports d4. Stockfish wanted 8.Nd2 (loss 0.10) – you already stand clearly better (eval −0.88).
8…Nc6: The knight increases the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's first choice (eval −1.09).
9.Be3: A mistake according to Stockfish (loss 0.58): Black is now much better (eval −1.45).
9…Qb6: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on b2, which the bishop no longer covers (eval −1.5).

Line 85: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Ne2 e6 6.Ng3 Bg6 7.Nd2 c5 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.c3 cxd4 10.cxd4 Bb4 11.Bd2 Qb6 12.Bc3 Ba5 13.Qe2 Nb4 14.Qb5 Ke7 15.Kd2 Nh6

up to 6…Bg6 as line 84

7.Nd2: White develops the knight (15 %).
7…c5: The lever against d4 – Black won 71 % of these games.
8.Nf3: The knight goes to f3 and covers d4.
8…Nc6: The knight attacks d4.
9.c3: White supports d4.
9…cxd4: You take on d4.
10.cxd4: White recaptures.
10…Bb4: The bishop gives check.
11.Bd2: The bishop blocks the check.
11…Qb6: The queen attacks b2 and d4.
12.Bc3: The bishop confronts your bishop on b4.
12…Ba5: The bishop steps to a5.
13.Qe2: The queen goes to e2.
13…Nb4: The knight jumps to b4 and threatens to jump on to c2.
14.Qb5: The queen gives check and offers a queen trade.
14…Ke7: The king goes to e7 – in the endgame it stands well there.
15.Kd2: White's king goes to the centre as well.
15…Nh6: The knight develops to h6 and wants to reach f5. You stand slightly better (eval −0.23).

Line 86: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Be3 e6 5.Nd2 Nd7 6.Be2 Ne7 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qc1 c5 9.c3 Nc6 10.Ngf3 Be7 11.Nb3 O-O 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.Nbd4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 a5 15.a4 Rac8

up to 3…Bf5 as line 85

4.Be3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.31): the bishop leaves c1 and no longer covers b2.
4…e6: You support d5; Stockfish wanted 4...Qb6 against b2 at once (loss 0.25).
5.Nd2: White develops the knight to d2 – the pawn on c2 stays free for c3. Stockfish's first choice.
5…Nd7: The knight comes to d7 – Stockfish's first choice.
6.Be2: Stockfish wanted 6.Ngf3, but the difference is small (loss 0.05).
6…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7; Stockfish wanted 6...f6 (loss 0.16).
7.f4: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.27); it wanted 7.Ngf3.
7…Qb6: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on b2 (eval 0).
8.Qc1: The queen covers b2 against your queen on b6.
8…c5: 8...c5 attacks the centre – the typical lever against d4.
9.c3: White supports d4.
9…Nc6: The knight comes to c6 and attacks d4 once more.
10.Ngf3: The knight covers d4 and e5.
10…Be7: The bishop goes to e7 and prepares castling.
11.Nb3: The knight goes to b3 and covers d4 and c5.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.dxc5: White takes on c5 and attacks your queen on b6.
12…Nxc5: The knight recaptures and attacks the knight on b3.
13.Nbd4: The knight jumps to d4 – a strong square in front of your pawn on e6 – and attacks your bishop on f5.
13…Nxd4: You trade off the strong knight on d4.
14.Bxd4: White recaptures with the bishop; it stands strongly on d4 and attacks your knight on c5.
14…a5: 14...a5 secures the knight on c5: b4 can no longer simply drive it away.
15.a4: White stops your a-pawn with 15.a4.
15…Rac8: The rook goes to the half-open c-file. Level (eval 0).

Line 87: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Be3 e6 5.Nd2 Nd7 6.f4 Qb6 7.Nb3 a5 8.a4 g5 9.Be2 gxf4 10.Bxf4 Ne7 11.Nf3 Ng6 12.Bd2 Bg7 13.Bd3 Bxd3 14.cxd3 Ne7 15.Qc2 h5

up to 5…Nd7 as line 86

6.f4: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.20); it wanted 6.Ngf3.
6…Qb6: The queen attacks b2 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Nb3: The knight goes to b3 and covers d4.
7…a5: 7...a5 threatens to drive away the knight on b3 with a5–a4.
8.a4: White stops the a-pawn.
8…g5: 8...g5 attacks White's kingside pawns – the pawn on f4 is the target.
9.Be2: The bishop develops to e2.
9…gxf4: You take on f4.
10.Bxf4: The bishop recaptures.
10…Ne7: The knight develops to e7.
11.Nf3: The knight develops to f3.
11…Ng6: The knight attacks the bishop on f4.
12.Bd2: The bishop steps to d2.
12…Bg7: The bishop goes to g7 and presses on e5.
13.Bd3: White offers the trade of the light-squared bishops.
13…Bxd3: You trade the bishops.
14.cxd3: White recaptures with the c-pawn.
14…Ne7: The knight goes to e7 and on to f5.
15.Qc2: The queen goes to c2.
15…h5: 15...h5 gains space on the kingside. Level (eval 0).

Line 88: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Be3 e6 5.Nd2 Nd7 6.Ngf3 Ne7 7.Be2 Bg6 8.Nh4 Nf5 9.Nxf5 Bxf5 10.O-O Be7 11.f4 Bg6 12.Kh1 O-O 13.g4 f5 14.c4 Kh8 15.b3 c5

up to 5…Nd7 as line 87

6.Ngf3: White develops the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
6…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7; Stockfish names 6...Bg6 first (loss 0.07).
7.Be2: The bishop goes to e2 – Stockfish's first choice. White won 55 % of these games.
7…Bg6: The bishop steps to g6 in advance; Stockfish names 7...h6 (loss 0.00).
8.Nh4: White attacks the bishop – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Nf5: Stockfish's move: the knight attacks the knight on h4 and the bishop on e3.
9.Nxf5: White trades the knight for your knight on f5.
9…Bxf5: You recapture with the bishop.
10.O-O: White castles short.
10…Be7: The bishop goes to e7 and prepares castling.
11.f4: 11.f4 supports e5 and prepares g2–g4.
11…Bg6: The bishop goes to g6 as a precaution.
12.Kh1: The king goes to h1.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.g4: White attacks on the kingside.
13…f5: 13...f5 stops White's kingside pawns.
14.c4: White attacks your pawn on d5.
14…Kh8: The king goes to h8 as a precaution.
15.b3: White supports c4.
15…c5: 15...c5 attacks d4. White stands slightly better (eval 0.17).

Line 89: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Be3 e6 5.Nd2 Nd7 6.c3 Ne7 7.f4 h5 8.Ngf3 Qb6 9.Qc1 a5 10.Be2 h4 11.h3 Bg6 12.Bf2 Nf5 13.O-O Be7 14.Re1 c5 15.Bd3 Rc8

up to 5…Nd7 as line 88

6.c3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.20); it wanted 6.Ngf3.
6…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7; Stockfish wanted 6...f6 (loss 0.13).
7.f4: White supports e5 and wants to advance on the kingside with g4 (91 %).
7…h5: You slow down g4. Stockfish wanted 7...Qb6 (loss 0.29) – careful: White won 78 % of these games.
8.Ngf3: White develops the knight – Stockfish's first choice. White won 64 % of these games.
8…Qb6: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on b2, which the bishop on e3 no longer covers.
9.Qc1: The queen covers b2.
9…a5: 9...a5 gains space on the queenside.
10.Be2: The bishop develops to e2.
10…h4: 10...h4 gains space on the kingside.
11.h3: White stops your h-pawn and takes the square g4 away from the bishop on f5.
11…Bg6: The bishop goes to g6.
12.Bf2: The bishop goes to f2 and attacks the pawn on h4.
12…Nf5: The knight comes to f5 and covers h4.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…Be7: The bishop goes to e7.
14.Re1: The rook goes to e1.
14…c5: 14...c5 attacks d4.
15.Bd3: The bishop attacks your knight on f5.
15…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file. White stands slightly better (eval 0.25).

Line 90: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Be3 e6 5.Nd2 Nd7 6.c3 Ne7 7.f4 h5 8.Be2 Qb6 9.Qb3 a5 10.Qxb6 Nxb6 11.a4 Bg4 12.Ngf3 h4 13.Ng5 Bf5 14.Rg1 f6 15.Ngf3 Bc2

up to 7…h5 as line 89

8.Be2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.31); it wanted 8.Ngf3.
8…Qb6: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on b2 (eval 0.05).
9.Qb3: The queen offers a queen trade.
9…a5: 9...a5 gains space on the queenside.
10.Qxb6: White trades queens.
10…Nxb6: You recapture with the knight.
11.a4: White stops your a-pawn.
11…Bg4: The bishop offers a trade for the bishop on e2.
12.Ngf3: The knight develops to f3.
12…h4: 12...h4 gains space on the kingside.
13.Ng5: The knight jumps to g5.
13…Bf5: The bishop goes back to f5.
14.Rg1: The rook goes to g1 and prepares g2–g4.
14…f6: 14...f6 drives away the knight on g5.
15.Ngf3: The knight retreats to f3.
15…Bc2: The bishop invades c2 and attacks the pawn on a4. Level (eval 0.05).

Line 91: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Be3 e6 5.Nd2 Nd7 6.Nb3 Ne7 7.Be2 Bg6 8.Nh3 Nf5 9.O-O a5 10.a4 Nxe3 11.fxe3 Be7 12.Nf4 Bg5 13.Kh1 Qe7 14.Nd2 O-O 15.Nf3 Bxf4

up to 5…Nd7 as line 90

6.Nb3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.20); it wanted 6.Ngf3.
6…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7; Stockfish wanted 6...a5 (loss 0.16) to chase the knight on b3.
7.Be2: The bishop develops to e2. Stockfish names 7.Nf3 first (loss 0.10). White won 86 % of these games.
7…Bg6: The bishop goes to g6 as a precaution.
8.Nh3: The knight goes to h3 and on to f4.
8…Nf5: The knight attacks the bishop on e3.
9.O-O: White castles.
9…a5: 9...a5 threatens to drive away the knight on b3 with a5–a4.
10.a4: White stops the a-pawn.
10…Nxe3: You trade the knight for the bishop on e3.
11.fxe3: White recaptures with the f-pawn – the f-file opens.
11…Be7: The bishop goes to e7.
12.Nf4: The knight attacks your bishop on g6.
12…Bg5: The bishop attacks the knight on f4 and the pawn on e3.
13.Kh1: The king goes to h1.
13…Qe7: The queen goes to e7.
14.Nd2: The knight goes to d2.
14…O-O: You castle.
15.Nf3: The knight attacks your bishop on g5.
15…Bxf4: You trade the bishop for the knight on f4. Level (eval 0).

Line 92: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c3 e6 5.Be3 Nd7 6.Nd2

up to 3…Bf5 as line 91

4.c3: White supports d4 with the pawn at once (6 %).
4…e6: You support d5 and open the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
5.Be3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.21): the bishop leaves c1, and b2 is no longer covered.
5…Nd7: The knight comes to d7; Stockfish wanted 5...f6 against the pawn chain at once (loss 0.10).
6.Nd2: Transposition: the same position arises after 4.Be3 4...e6 5.Nd2 5...Nd7 6.c3 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 93: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c3 e6 5.Be3 Nd7 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Nf3 f6 8.Nbd2 a5 9.a4 fxe5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nh6 12.Nf3 Be7 13.Be2 O-O 14.O-O Nf7 15.Bb6 Qb8

up to 5…Nd7 as line 92

6.Qb3: A mistake (loss 0.32): the queen attacks b7, but afterwards Black is better (eval −0.32).
6…Qc7: The queen covers b7 – Stockfish's first choice. Next you attack the chain with f6.
7.Nf3: The knight develops to f3.
7…f6: 7...f6 attacks the pawn on e5.
8.Nbd2: The knight develops to d2.
8…a5: 8...a5 gains space on the queenside.
9.a4: White stops the a-pawn.
9…fxe5: You take on e5.
10.Nxe5: The knight recaptures and attacks your knight on d7.
10…Nxe5: You trade the knights.
11.dxe5: White recaptures with the d-pawn.
11…Nh6: The knight develops to h6 and wants to reach f7 or g4.
12.Nf3: The knight develops to f3.
12…Be7: The bishop develops to e7.
13.Be2: The bishop develops to e2.
13…O-O: You castle – your rook stands on the half-open f-file.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…Nf7: The knight goes to f7 and attacks e5.
15.Bb6: The bishop attacks your queen on c7.
15…Qb8: The queen steps to b8 and keeps attacking e5. You stand slightly better (eval −0.17).

Line 94: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c3 e6 5.Be3 Nd7 6.f4 Qb6 7.b3 Nh6 8.Nf3 f6 9.a4 a5 10.Be2 Be7 11.h3 Nf7 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Nbd2 Nd6 14.O-O Nde4 15.c4 Nxd2

up to 5…Nd7 as line 93

6.f4: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.17); it wanted 6.Be2.
6…Qb6: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on b2 (eval −0.14).
7.b3: The pawn steps out of your queen's attack.
7…Nh6: The knight goes to h6 and on to f7 or f5.
8.Nf3: The knight develops to f3.
8…f6: 8...f6 attacks the pawn on e5.
9.a4: 9.a4 gains space on the queenside.
9…a5: 9...a5 stops the a-pawn.
10.Be2: The bishop develops to e2.
10…Be7: The bishop develops to e7.
11.h3: White takes the square g4 away from your pieces.
11…Nf7: The knight goes to f7 and attacks e5.
12.exf6: White takes on f6.
12…Nxf6: You recapture with the knight.
13.Nbd2: The knight develops to d2.
13…Nd6: The knight goes to d6 and wants to reach e4.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…Nde4: The knight jumps to e4 – a strong square.
15.c4: White attacks your pawn on d5.
15…Nxd2: You trade the knights. Level (eval −0.07).

Line 95: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.Nf3 Ne7 7.O-O

up to 4…e6 as line 94

5.Be2: White develops the bishop (7 %).
5…Nd7: The knight comes to d7; Stockfish wanted 5...c5 at once (loss 0.09).
6.Nf3: White develops the knight – Stockfish's first choice. White won 75 % of these games.
6…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7; Stockfish names 6...a5 first (loss 0.08).
7.O-O: Transposition: the same position arises after 4.Nf3 4...e6 5.Be2 5...Nd7 6.O-O 6...Ne7 7.c3 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 96: 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.c3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.Nf3 Ne7 7.Nh4 Be4 8.Nd2 c5 9.Nxe4 dxe4 10.g3 Qb6 11.O-O Rd8 12.Qa4 Nc6 13.Rd1 cxd4 14.cxd4 Be7 15.Ng2 Qb4

up to 6…Ne7 as line 95

7.Nh4: The knight attacks your bishop on f5. Stockfish wanted 7.O-O (loss 0.26).
7…Be4: The bishop steps to e4.
8.Nd2: The knight attacks your bishop on e4.
8…c5: 8...c5 attacks d4.
9.Nxe4: White trades the knight for your bishop.
9…dxe4: You recapture with the d-pawn.
10.g3: 10.g3 supports the knight on h4.
10…Qb6: The queen attacks b2 and d4.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…Rd8: The rook goes to the d-file against d4.
12.Qa4: The queen attacks your knight on d7.
12…Nc6: The knight goes to c6 and attacks d4.
13.Rd1: The rook covers d4.
13…cxd4: You take on d4.
14.cxd4: White recaptures.
14…Be7: The bishop attacks the knight on h4.
15.Ng2: The knight retreats to g2.
15…Qb4: The queen offers a queen trade. White stands marginally better (eval 0.12).

Line 97: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.a3 Bf6 12.Qc2 g6 13.Bh6 Re8 14.Rad1 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Bd7

up to 2…d5 as line 96

3.exd5: The Exchange Variation (26 % of the games): White exchanges in the centre. You recapture with the c-pawn; then White chooses between the sharp Panov Attack 4.c4 and the quiet set-up with 4.Bd3.
3…cxd5: Recapture with the c-pawn – this keeps a pawn in the centre and gives you the half-open c-file.
4.c4: The Panov Attack (73 %): White attacks d5 at once. Often he ends up with an isolated pawn on d4 – active pieces for him, a target for you.
4…Nf6: The knight protects d5 and develops – Stockfish's first choice.
5.Nc3: White increases the pressure on d5 (99 %).
5…e6: You support d5 with the e-pawn and open your bishop on f8. Stockfish names 5...Nc6 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.03).
6.Nf3: White develops (93 %).
6…Bb4: The main line: the bishop pins the knight on c3 and so weakens White's control of d5 and e4. Stockfish's first choice.
7.cxd5: White releases the tension (61 %).
7…Nxd5: You recapture with the knight: White is left with an isolated pawn on d4, and your knight stands ideally on d5 in front of it. Stockfish rates 7...exd5 slightly higher (loss 0.00).
8.Bd2: White breaks the pin (55 %).
8…Nc6: The knight attacks d4 – the isolated pawn is your target. Stockfish names 8...Bd7 first (loss 0.14).
9.Bd3: White puts the bishop on the diagonal towards h7 (96 %).
9…O-O: You castle and bring your king to safety – almost equal to Stockfish's choice (loss 0.00).
10.O-O: White castles – with the isolated pawn on d4 White relies on active pieces and an attack on the kingside.
10…Be7: The bishop returns to e7 and guards the kingside. Stockfish names 10...Nf6 first by a hair (loss 0.11).
11.a3: White stops a knight from coming to b4 (37 %); Stockfish wanted 11.Qe2 (loss 0.17).
11…Bf6: The bishop increases the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Qc2: Careful: the queen on c2 and the bishop on d3 aim at h7 together! According to Stockfish the move is inaccurate, though (loss 0.15).
12…g6: You close the diagonal against h7. Stockfish wanted 12...h6 (loss 0.16).
13.Bh6: The bishop attacks the rook on f8 (91 %).
13…Re8: The rook moves away; Stockfish wanted 13...Bg7 (loss 0.08).
14.Rad1: The rook covers d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
14…Nxc3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.17): the trade strengthens White's centre. 14...Nce7 was better.
15.bxc3: White recaptures with the b-pawn; now c3 supports the pawn on d4. Stockfish sees White slightly ahead (eval 0.49).
15…Bd7: Stockfish's move: you develop the bishop, but White is better (eval 0.49).

Line 98: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.a3 Bf6 12.Qe2 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.Bxh7 Kxh7 15.Qe4 Kg8

up to 11…Bf6 as line 97

12.Qe2: White brings the queen to the e-file (32 %); Stockfish finds this inaccurate (loss 0.17).
12…Nxd4: You take the pawn on d4! Stockfish's first choice.
13.Nxd4: White trades on d4. 91 % of these games were drawn.
13…Bxd4: You recapture with the bishop and are a pawn up.
14.Bxh7: White sacrifices the bishop so that after 14...Kxh7 he can give check with 15.Qd3+ and win back the bishop on d4.
14…Kxh7: You have to take. After 15.Qd3+ 15...Kg8 16.Qxd4 material is level again – almost all of these games ended in a draw.
15.Qe4: The queen gives check and at the same time attacks your bishop on d4 – a fork.
15…Kg8: The king goes to g8; White wins the piece back on d4. Level (eval −0.10).

Line 99: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.a3 Bf6 12.Be3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 b6 14.Qc2 g6 15.Bh6 Re8

up to 11…Bf6 as line 98

12.Be3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.23); Black won half of these games.
12…Nxc3: You exchange on c3; Stockfish wanted 12...Nxe3 (loss 0.13).
13.bxc3: White recaptures with the b-pawn; c3 now supports d4. Black won half of these games.
13…b6: You prepare Bb7 – Stockfish's first choice.
14.Qc2: Careful: queen and bishop aim at h7.
14…g6: You close the diagonal against h7; Stockfish wanted 14...h6 (loss 0.01).
15.Bh6: The bishop goes to h6 and attacks your rook on f8.
15…Re8: The rook steps to e8. Level (eval 0.11).

Line 100: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.Qe2 Nf6 12.Ne4 Qb6 13.a3 Bd7 14.Rfd1 Rad8 15.b4 Nxe4

up to 10…Be7 as line 99

11.Qe2: White puts the queen on the e-file (37 %) – Stockfish's first choice.
11…Nf6: The knight drops back to f6, covers h7 and watches d5 and e4. Stockfish agrees.
12.Ne4: White offers a knight trade (68 %).
12…Qb6: The queen attacks d4 and b2. Stockfish wanted 12...a5 (loss 0.12).
13.a3: White covers the square b4; Stockfish wanted 13.a4 (loss 0.00).
13…Bd7: You develop the bishop; Stockfish wanted 13...Nd5 (loss 0.16).
14.Rfd1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.31); it wanted 14.Be3.
14…Rad8: The rook goes to the d-file, against d4. Stockfish prefers the other rook (14...Rfd8, loss 0.11).
15.b4: 15.b4 gains space on the queenside – Stockfish's first choice. White stands slightly better (eval 0.25).
15…Nxe4: Stockfish's move: you trade off the active knight on e4.

Line 101: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.Qe2 Nf6 12.Be3 Nb4 13.Bc4 b6 14.a3 Nbd5 15.Ne5 Bb7

up to 11…Nf6 as line 100

12.Be3: A mistake according to Stockfish (loss 0.40); Black won over half of these games.
12…Nb4: The knight attacks the bishop on d3 and goes for the bishop pair. Stockfish's first choice.
13.Bc4: The bishop steps away from your knight on b4 to c4 – Stockfish's first choice.
13…b6: You prepare Bb7; the bishop comes to the long diagonal. Black is slightly better (eval −0.17).
14.a3: The pawn attacks your knight on b4.
14…Nbd5: The knight returns to d5 and attacks the bishop on e3 and the knight on c3.
15.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5.
15…Bb7: The bishop goes to the long diagonal. You stand marginally better (eval −0.07).

Line 102: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.Qe2 Nf6 12.Rad1 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Bg5 Qb6 15.h4 Rd8

up to 11…Nf6 as line 101

12.Rad1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.24); now d4 is too weakly protected.
12…Nxd4: Stockfish's move: you take the pawn on d4! After 13.Nxd4 13...Qxd4 the position is level (eval 0.00).
13.Nxd4: White trades on d4.
13…Qxd4: The queen recaptures – a pawn up – and attacks the bishop on d3.
14.Bg5: The bishop attacks your knight on f6 – White looks for an attack in return for the pawn.
14…Qb6: The queen retreats to b6.
15.h4: 15.h4 supports the bishop on g5 and prepares an attack.
15…Rd8: The rook attacks the bishop on d3. You are a pawn up – level (eval 0).

Line 103: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.Re1 Bf6 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Ne5 Be6 14.Bc3 g6 15.h3 Rc8

up to 10…Be7 as line 102

11.Re1: White puts the rook on the e-file (11 %).
11…Bf6: The bishop increases the pressure on d4. Stockfish names 11...Ndb4 first; the difference is small (loss 0.06).
12.Nxd5: White trades on d5 – Stockfish's first choice. Black won none of these games.
12…exd5: Recapture with the e-pawn: now d4 and d5 face each other, and the game is quiet.
13.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 and attacks your knight on c6.
13…Be6: The bishop covers d5. Stockfish names 13...g6 first (loss 0.10); the position stays level (eval 0.25).
14.Bc3: The bishop goes to c3 and supports d4.
14…g6: 14...g6 closes the diagonal of the bishop on d3 against h7.
15.h3: White gives the king some air and takes the square g4 away from your bishop.
15…Rc8: The rook goes to the open c-file. White stands marginally better (eval 0.15).

Line 104: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.Re1 Bf6 12.Ne4 Bxd4 13.Neg5 h6 14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Bh7 Kh8

up to 11…Bf6 as line 103

12.Ne4: The knight attacks your bishop on f6 and gives up the pawn on d4. Stockfish wanted 12.Nxd5 (loss 0.17). White won 57 % of these games.
12…Bxd4: You take the pawn on d4 – a pawn up.
13.Neg5: The knight jumps to g5 and aims at h7.
13…h6: 13...h6 attacks the knight on g5.
14.Nxd4: White trades on d4.
14…Nxd4: The knight recaptures.
15.Bh7: The bishop gives check on h7.
15…Kh8: The king goes to h8 and attacks the bishop on h7. You are a pawn up, White has an attack – level (eval 0).

Line 105: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.Rc1 Ndb4 12.Bb1 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Qe2 Bd7 15.Rcd1 Qh4

up to 10…Be7 as line 104

11.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file. Stockfish wanted 11.Qe2 (loss 0.16) – after 11...Ndb4 your knight comes with tempo. Black won 47 % of these games.
11…Ndb4: The knight attacks the bishop on d3. Stockfish saw 11...Bf6 as equal (loss 0.00).
12.Bb1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.11): now Black can take on d4.
12…Nxd4: You take the pawn on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Nxd4: White trades on d4; after 13...Qxd4 you have won a pawn.
13…Qxd4: You recapture with the queen and are a pawn up. Black won 57 % of these games.
14.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 and connects the rooks – for the pawn White has active pieces.
14…Bd7: The bishop develops to d7.
15.Rcd1: The rook attacks your queen on d4.
15…Qh4: The queen steps to h4, in front of White's king. You are a pawn up – level (eval 0).

Line 106: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Bd3 Ba5 10.a3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Qxd4 13.Bb5 Bd7 14.O-O Qd5 15.c4 Qf5 16.Bxd7 Kxd7

up to 7…Nxd5 as line 105

8.Qc2: White strengthens his grip on d5 and e4 (42 %); Stockfish finds 8.Bd2 more precise (loss 0.14).
8…Nc6: The knight attacks d4. Stockfish wanted to castle first (8...O-O, loss 0.00).
9.Bd3: For Stockfish as good as 9.Bc4 – both bishop moves often lead to the same position.
9…Ba5: The bishop steps to a5 and keeps the pin on c3. Stockfish's first choice.
10.a3: White questions the bishop (73 %).
10…Nxc3: You trade the knight on c3 and prepare to win a pawn. Stockfish wanted 10...h6 (loss 0.01).
11.bxc3: White has to recapture with the pawn. Now you can grab the pawn on d4.
11…Nxd4: You take the pawn on d4! Stockfish's first choice.
12.Nxd4: White takes the knight on d4; your queen recaptures, and you have won a pawn.
12…Qxd4: You are a pawn up. In return White gets time against your king, which is still in the centre (eval 0.07).
13.Bb5: Check! White disturbs your castling (83 %).
13…Bd7: You block with the bishop. Stockfish saw 13...Kf8 as equal (loss 0.02).
14.O-O: White castles; for the pawn White has a lead in development, and your king is still in the centre.
14…Qd5: The queen centralises and attacks the bishop on b5. Stockfish names 14...Qe5 first; the difference is small (loss 0.06).
15.c4: The pawn attacks your queen on d5.
15…Qf5: The queen steps to f5 and offers the queen trade. Stockfish's first choice.
16.Bxd7: White trades bishops with check, and your king recaptures on d7. You are a pawn up, the king in the centre balances it out (eval 0). Black won 46 % of these games.
16…Kxd7: The king recaptures and stands in the centre. Black won 46 % of these games – the extra pawn counts.

Line 107: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Bd3 Ba5 10.a3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Qxd4 13.O-O Qe5 14.Be4 h6 15.c4 O-O

up to 12…Qxd4 as line 106

13.O-O: A mistake (loss 0.21): without the check 13.Bb5+ White has too little for the pawn.
13…Qe5: Stockfish's move: the queen stands centrally, and you are a pawn up (eval −0.11).
14.Be4: The bishop goes to e4 and eyes b7.
14…h6: 14...h6 gives your king some air.
15.c4: 15.c4 gains space.
15…O-O: You castle. You are a pawn up and stand slightly better (eval −0.12).

Line 108: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Bd3 Ba5 10.O-O Ndb4 11.Qd1 Nxd3 12.Qxd3 f6 13.Rd1 O-O 14.d5 exd5 15.Nxd5 Be6

up to 9…Ba5 as line 107

10.O-O: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.13); it wanted 10.a3.
10…Ndb4: The knight attacks queen and bishop – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Qd1: The queen steps to d1. Stockfish names 11.Qd2 first, equally good.
11…Nxd3: You win the bishop pair – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Qxd3: The queen recaptures – you have the bishop pair.
12…f6: Stockfish's move: the pawn takes the squares g5 and e5 away from the knight – level (eval −0.02).
13.Rd1: The rook covers d4.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.d5: With 14.d5 White dissolves the isolated pawn and attacks your knight on c6.
14…exd5: You take on d5.
15.Nxd5: The knight recaptures and stands strongly on d5.
15…Be6: The bishop attacks the knight on d5. Level (eval −0.01).

Line 109: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.Rd1 Bf6 12.Qe4 Nce7 13.Bd3 Ng6 14.h3 Qa5 15.Nxd5 exd5

up to 8…Nc6 as line 108

9.Be2: White puts the bishop modestly on e2 (38 %); Stockfish wanted 9.Bc4 (loss 0.08).
9…O-O: You castle. Stockfish names 9...h6 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.04).
10.O-O: White castles. Stockfish sees you marginally ahead (eval −0.12).
10…Be7: The bishop returns to e7; Stockfish wanted 10...h6 (loss 0.12).
11.Rd1: The rook covers d4. Stockfish names 11.a3 first but sees no difference.
11…Bf6: The bishop increases the pressure on d4. Stockfish names 11...h6 first; the difference is small (loss 0.04).
12.Qe4: The queen goes to e4 and attacks your knight on d5. White won half of these games.
12…Nce7: The knight goes to e7 and covers d5 once more. Stockfish wanted 12...Bd7 (loss 0.10).
13.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and aims at h7.
13…Ng6: The knight goes to g6 and defends your king.
14.h3: White gives the king some air.
14…Qa5: The queen attacks the knight on c3.
15.Nxd5: White trades the knights on d5.
15…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn and attack the queen on e4. Now both sides have an isolated d-pawn – level (eval 0.13).

Line 110: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.Rd1 Bf6 12.Ne4 h6 13.Nxf6 Qxf6 14.Qe4 Qf5 15.Qh4 Qf6

up to 11…Bf6 as line 109

12.Ne4: White offers a knight trade; Stockfish wanted 12.Qe4 (loss 0.04).
12…h6: Stockfish's move: a breathing hole for your king – level (eval 0).
13.Nxf6: White trades the knight for your bishop on f6.
13…Qxf6: You recapture with the queen.
14.Qe4: The queen goes to e4 and attacks your knight on d5.
14…Qf5: The queen offers a queen trade.
15.Qh4: White avoids the trade.
15…Qf6: The queen offers the trade again – a repetition is possible. Level (eval 0).

Line 111: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O Be7 11.a3 Bf6 12.Rd1 Bd7 13.Bd3 g6 14.Bh6 Bg7 15.Bxg7 Kxg7

up to 10…Be7 as line 110

11.a3: 11.a3 takes the square b4 away from your knights – Stockfish's first choice.
11…Bf6: The bishop increases the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Rd1: The rook covers d4.
12…Bd7: Stockfish's move: you develop your last bishop (eval 0.00).
13.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and, together with the queen on c2, aims at h7.
13…g6: 13...g6 closes the diagonal against h7.
14.Bh6: The bishop attacks your rook on f8.
14…Bg7: The bishop confronts the bishop on h6 and offers a trade.
15.Bxg7: White trades the bishops.
15…Kxg7: The king recaptures; without the dark-squared bishops it is safe. Level (eval 0).

Line 112: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.a3 Be7 10.Bd3 h6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rd1 Bf6 13.Qe2 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Bxd4 15.Bh7 Kxh7

up to 8…Nc6 as line 111

9.a3: White questions the bishop on b4 (21 %); Stockfish wanted 9.Bc4 (loss 0.00).
9…Be7: The bishop drops back to e7; Stockfish wanted 9...Ba5 (loss 0.15).
10.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and forms a battery against h7 with the queen on c2 – Stockfish's first choice.
10…h6: You take the square g5 away from White's bishop and give your king air. Stockfish wanted 10...Bf6 (loss 0.18).
11.O-O: White castles short.
11…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Rd1: The rook covers d4. Stockfish names 12.Qe2 first (loss 0.11).
12…Bf6: The bishop increases the pressure on d4. Stockfish names 12...Bd6 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.04).
13.Qe2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.22): now you can grab the pawn on d4.
13…Nxd4: Stockfish's move: you take the pawn on d4. After 14.Nxd4 14...Bxd4 15.Bh7+ 15...Kxh7 16.Rxd4 everything is level (eval −0.01).
14.Nxd4: White trades on d4.
14…Bxd4: You recapture with the bishop – a pawn up – and attack the knight on c3.
15.Bh7: A discovered attack: the bishop gives check, and the rook on d1 now attacks your bishop on d4.
15…Kxh7: You take the bishop; with 16.Rxd4 White wins the piece back. Level (eval −0.02).

Line 113: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.a3 Be7 10.Bd3 h6 11.O-O O-O 12.Qe2 Re8 13.Bc2 Bd6 14.Bd2 Nf6 15.Rad1 e5

up to 11…O-O as line 112

12.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 – Stockfish's first choice.
12…Re8: The rook goes to the e-file; Stockfish wanted 12...Bd6 (loss 0.19).
13.Bc2: The bishop goes to c2 and stays on the diagonal against h7.
13…Bd6: The bishop goes to d6 and aims at h2.
14.Bd2: The bishop develops to d2.
14…Nf6: The knight goes back to f6 and protects your king.
15.Rad1: The rook goes to d1 and supports d4.
15…e5: 15...e5 attacks d4 and frees your position. White stands slightly better (eval 0.21).

Line 114: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Ne5 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nbd7 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qg4 Kh8

up to 6…Bb4 as line 113

7.Bd3: White develops the bishop and keeps the tension (31 %).
7…dxc4: You take on c4: White's bishop has to move a second time, and White is left with the isolated pawn on d4. Stockfish's first choice.
8.Bxc4: White recaptures with the bishop and has an isolated pawn on d4 – typical of the Panov Attack: active pieces against a weakness.
8…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
9.O-O: White castles; both sides have nearly finished developing. Level (eval 0).
9…b6: You prepare Bb7: the bishop comes to the long diagonal and watches d5. Stockfish's first choice.
10.Bg5: The bishop pins your knight on f6 (71 %).
10…Bb7: The bishop goes to the long diagonal – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5; Stockfish wanted 11.Qe2 (loss 0.00).
11…Bxc3: You give the bishop for the knight on c3 and weaken White's pawns. Stockfish wanted 11...Nbd7 (loss 0.06).
12.bxc3: White recaptures with the b-pawn: now c3 supports the pawn on d4. 81 % of these games were drawn.
12…Nbd7: Stockfish's move: the knight offers to trade the strong knight on e5.
13.Nxd7: White trades the knight on e5 for your knight on d7 – afterwards you are missing a defender of f6.
13…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen – Stockfish's first choice.
14.Bxf6: White takes on f6 and breaks up the pawns in front of your king.
14…gxf6: You recapture with the g-pawn. Your king is more exposed, but the bishop on b7 and the queen hold the position together.
15.Qg4: The queen gives check on the open g-file.
15…Kh8: The king goes into the corner; later your rook comes to g8 onto the open file. Level (eval 0).

Line 115: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Re1 Nbd7 12.Rc1 Rc8 13.Bd3 Re8 14.Qe2 h6 15.Bh4 Be7

up to 10…Bb7 as line 114

11.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file. Stockfish names 11.Qe2 first, equally good.
11…Nbd7: You develop the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file – Stockfish's first choice.
12…Rc8: The rook lines up on the c-file against the bishop on c4 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and aims at h7. Stockfish wanted 13.Qb3 (loss 0.10).
13…Re8: The rook goes to e8; Stockfish wanted 13...h6 (loss 0).
14.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 and connects the rooks.
14…h6: 14...h6 puts the question to the bishop on g5.
15.Bh4: The bishop keeps up the pin on your knight on f6.
15…Be7: The bishop goes to e7 and breaks the pin. Level (eval 0).

Line 116: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Re1 Nbd7 12.Rc1 Rc8 13.Qb3 Bxc3 14.Rxc3 h6 15.Bh4 Bd5

up to 12…Rc8 as line 115

13.Qb3: The queen attacks your bishop on b4 – Stockfish's first choice.
13…Bxc3: Stockfish's move: you exchange on c3 and simplify – level (eval 0).
14.Rxc3: White recaptures with the rook; the pawn structure stays intact.
14…h6: 14...h6 puts the question to the bishop on g5.
15.Bh4: The bishop keeps the pin.
15…Bd5: On d5, the square in front of the isolated pawn, the bishop offers a trade for the bishop on c4. Level (eval 0).

Line 117: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Rc1 Nbd7 12.Re1

up to 10…Bb7 as line 116

11.Rc1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.14); it wanted 11.Qe2.
11…Nbd7: You develop the knight; Stockfish wanted 11...h6 (loss 0.14).
12.Re1: The rook goes to e1. Stockfish names 12.Bh4 first, equally good. Transposition: this position also arises by another move order – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 118: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Qe2 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nbd7 13.Ne5 Qc7 14.Nxd7 Nxd7 15.Rac1 Rfe8

up to 10…Bb7 as line 117

11.Qe2: The queen goes to e2 – Stockfish's first choice. 67 % of these games were drawn.
11…Bxc3: You trade off the knight on c3: afterwards White is left with pawns on c3 and d4, and your bishop on b7 aims at the knight on f3. Stockfish's first choice.
12.bxc3: White recaptures with the b-pawn; c3 now supports the pawn on d4.
12…Nbd7: The knight comes to d7 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Ne5: White looks for the knight trade (57 %).
13…Qc7: The queen attacks the knight on e5 and stands on the c-file against the bishop on c4; Stockfish wanted 13...Rc8 (loss 0.09).
14.Nxd7: White trades the knight on e5 for your knight on d7.
14…Nxd7: You recapture – Stockfish's first choice.
15.Rac1: The rook goes to c1. Stockfish wanted 15.Rfc1 with the other rook (loss 0.11).
15…Rfe8: The rook goes to the e-file; Stockfish wanted 15...h6 (loss 0.21).

Line 119: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Qe2 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Nbd7 13.Bd3 Qc7 14.Rac1 Ng4 15.Be4 Bxe4

up to 12…Nbd7 as line 118

13.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3. Stockfish names 13.Ne5 first, equally good.
13…Qc7: The queen attacks the pawn on c3 – Stockfish's first choice.
14.Rac1: The rook goes to c1 and covers c3.
14…Ng4: The knight jumps to g4 and aims at h2 and e5.
15.Be4: White offers the trade of the light-squared bishops.
15…Bxe4: You trade the bishops. Level (eval 0.02).

Line 120: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Qd3 Nbd7 12.Bh4 a6 13.a4 Qc7 14.Bg3 Bd6 15.Qe2 Bxg3

up to 10…Bb7 as line 119

11.Qd3: Stockfish wanted 11.Qe2, but the difference is small (loss 0.07).
11…Nbd7: Stockfish's move: you develop the knight (eval −0.09).
12.Bh4: The bishop keeps the pin on the knight on f6.
12…a6: 12...a6 prepares b6–b5.
13.a4: White prevents b6–b5.
13…Qc7: The queen attacks the bishop on c4.
14.Bg3: The bishop attacks your queen on c7.
14…Bd6: The bishop steps in between and offers a trade.
15.Qe2: The queen goes to e2.
15…Bxg3: You trade the bishops. Level (eval 0).

Line 121: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Qe2 Bb7 11.Bg5

up to 9…b6 as line 120

10.Qe2: White first puts the queen on e2 (15 %).
10…Bb7: The bishop comes to the long diagonal – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Bg5: Transposition: the same position arises after 10.Bg5 10...Bb7 11.Qe2 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 122: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Qe2 Bb7 11.Rd1 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Qc7 13.Bd3 Nbd7 14.c4 Rfe8 15.Bb2 Ng4

up to 10…Bb7 as line 121

11.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4 (40 %).
11…Bxc3: You exchange on c3; Stockfish wanted 11...h6 first (loss 0.23).
12.bxc3: White recaptures with the b-pawn. Black won half of these games.
12…Qc7: The queen attacks the bishop on c4; Stockfish wanted 12...Nc6 (loss 0.00).
13.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and aims at h7.
13…Nbd7: The knight develops to d7.
14.c4: White forms the hanging pawns on c4 and d4.
14…Rfe8: The rook goes to e8.
15.Bb2: The bishop goes to b2 and covers d4.
15…Ng4: The knight jumps to g4 and aims at h2. Level (eval 0.16).

Line 123: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Bb4 7.Bd3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.Re1 Bb7 11.Bd3 Nbd7 12.a3 Be7 13.Bf4 a6 14.a4 Nh5 15.Be3 Nhf6

up to 9…b6 as line 122

10.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file. Stockfish names 10.Qe2 first, equally good. White won 64 % of these games.
10…Bb7: The bishop goes to the long diagonal and presses on d5 and f3.
11.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and aims at h7. Stockfish names 11.Bg5 first (loss 0.09).
11…Nbd7: The knight develops to d7. Stockfish names 11...h6 first (loss 0.09).
12.a3: The pawn attacks your bishop on b4.
12…Be7: The bishop retreats to e7.
13.Bf4: The bishop develops to f4.
13…a6: 13...a6 takes the square b5 away from the knight.
14.a4: White gains space on the queenside.
14…Nh5: The knight attacks the bishop on f4.
15.Be3: The bishop steps to e3 and covers d4.
15…Nhf6: The knight returns to f6. Level (eval 0).

Line 124: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Rfe1 Bh5 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Bg6 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.h4 Qc6

up to 3…cxd5 as line 123

4.Bd3: The quiet road (23 %): White develops without c4. He plans c3, Bf4 and often Qb3 against b7.
4…Nc6: The knight attacks d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
5.c3: White supports d4 (98 %).
5…Nf6: The knight develops and covers d5. Stockfish agrees.
6.Bf4: White puts the bishop actively on f4 (74 %).
6…Bg4: Your bishop gets outside the pawn chain before you play e6 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Qb3: White attacks the pawn on b7 (84 %). This is the drawback of 6...Bg4: the bishop is missing on the queenside.
7…Qc8: The queen covers b7. Stockfish names 7...Na5 first; the difference is small (loss 0.04).
8.Nd2: White develops the knight (97 %).
8…e6: You open the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Ngf3: White develops the knight. Stockfish names 9.h3 first and questions your bishop on g4 at once; the difference is small (loss 0.02).
9…Be7: The bishop comes to e7, then you castle. Stockfish agrees.
10.O-O: White castles. The position is symmetrical and calm: 52 % of these games were drawn.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Rfe1: White puts the rook on the e-file (37 %) – Stockfish's first choice.
11…Bh5: The bishop steps to h5 in advance and wants to trade off the bishop on d3 via g6. Stockfish names 11...Nh5 first by a hair (loss 0.00).
12.Ne5: The knight comes to e5; Stockfish wanted 12.h3 (loss 0.11).
12…Nxe5: You trade off the strong knight – Stockfish sees no difference from 12...Bd6 (loss 0).
13.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop; it stands strongly on e5 and attacks your knight on f6.
13…Bg6: The bishop offers to trade off the bishop on d3. Stockfish agrees.
14.Bxg6: White trades the light-squared bishops.
14…hxg6: Recapture with the h-pawn: the structure stays firm. Level; most games ended in a draw.
15.h4: 15.h4 gains space on the kingside; White wants to push the pawn on to h5 and attack your pawn on g6.
15…Qc6: The queen goes to c6 and prepares the minority attack with b5. Level (eval 0.16).

Line 125: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Rfe1 Bh5 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nd7 14.Qc2 Bg6 15.Nf3 Bxd3

up to 12…Nxe5 as line 124

13.dxe5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.12); it wanted 13.Bxe5.
13…Nd7: The knight steps to d7 – Stockfish's first choice.
14.Qc2: The queen goes to c2 and covers the bishop on d3 – Stockfish's first choice.
14…Bg6: The bishop offers the trade. Level (eval −0.03).
15.Nf3: The knight goes to f3 and covers e5.
15…Bxd3: You trade the bishops. Level (eval 0.08).

Line 126: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Ne5 Bh5 12.Qc2 Bd6 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.a3 Rfe8

up to 10…O-O as line 125

11.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 at once (26 %).
11…Bh5: The bishop steps to h5 and plans Bg6. Stockfish names 11...Nxe5 first (loss 0.10).
12.Qc2: The queen goes to c2. Stockfish names 12.Ndf3 first, hardly any difference (loss 0.01). White won 55 % of these games.
12…Bd6: Stockfish's move: the bishop attacks the knight on e5 a second time.
13.Nxc6: White trades the knight on e5 for your knight on c6.
13…Qxc6: You recapture with the queen.
14.Bxd6: White trades the dark-squared bishops.
14…Qxd6: The queen recaptures.
15.a3: White takes the square b4 away from your queen and pawns.
15…Rfe8: The rook goes to e8. White stands marginally better (eval 0.14).

Line 127: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Ne5 Bh5 12.Rfe1

up to 11…Bh5 as line 126

12.Rfe1: Transposition: the same position arises after 11.Rfe1 11...Bh5 12.Ne5 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 128: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Rae1 Bh5 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Bg6 14.Be2 Qc6 15.Ra1 Bd6

up to 10…O-O as line 127

11.Rae1: The rook goes to e1. Stockfish wanted the other rook (11.Rfe1, loss 0.04).
11…Bh5: The bishop steps to h5; Stockfish names 11...Rd8 first by a hair (loss 0.14).
12.Ne5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.26); it wanted 12.Qc2.
12…Nxe5: You trade off the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop; it stands strongly on e5.
13…Bg6: The bishop attacks the bishop on d3 and offers a trade.
14.Be2: White avoids the trade.
14…Qc6: The queen goes to c6 and prepares the minority attack with b7–b5.
15.Ra1: The rook returns to a1 – with 11.Rae1 White lost time.
15…Bd6: The bishop offers a trade for the strong bishop on e5. Level (eval 0.08).

Line 129: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.h3 Bh5 12.Rfe1 Bg6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Qb5 a5 15.a4 Re8

up to 10…O-O as line 128

11.h3: The pawn attacks your bishop on g4. Stockfish names 11.Rfe1 first, equally good.
11…Bh5: The bishop steps to h5; Stockfish wanted 11...Bf5 (loss 0.04).
12.Rfe1: The rook goes to the e-file – Stockfish's first choice.
12…Bg6: The bishop offers the trade; Stockfish wanted 12...a6 first (loss 0.03).
13.Bxg6: White trades the bishops.
13…hxg6: You recapture with the h-pawn.
14.Qb5: The queen goes to b5 and makes your minority attack with b7–b5 harder.
14…a5: 14...a5 prepares a5–a4 and takes squares away from the queen.
15.a4: White stops your a-pawn.
15…Re8: The rook goes to e8. White stands slightly better (eval 0.39).

Line 130: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.h3 Bh5 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Bg6 14.Be2 Qd7 15.a4 a5

up to 11…Bh5 as line 129

12.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5. Stockfish wanted 12.Rfe1 (loss 0.14).
12…Nxe5: Stockfish's move: you trade off the knight on e5.
13.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop and attacks your knight on f6.
13…Bg6: The bishop attacks the bishop on d3.
14.Be2: White avoids the trade.
14…Qd7: The queen goes to d7.
15.a4: 15.a4 gains space on the queenside.
15…a5: 15...a5 stops the a-pawn. White stands slightly better (eval 0.23).

Line 131: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Qc2 Nh5 12.Be3 Bf5 13.Ne1 h6 14.Qd1 Nf6 15.Bxf5 exf5

up to 10…O-O as line 130

11.Qc2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.22).
11…Nh5: Stockfish's move: the knight attacks the bishop on f4 (eval −0.03).
12.Be3: The bishop steps away from your knight on h5.
12…Bf5: The bishop offers a trade for the bishop on d3.
13.Ne1: The knight goes to e1 and covers the bishop on d3.
13…h6: 13...h6 gives your king some air.
14.Qd1: The queen attacks your knight on h5.
14…Nf6: The knight returns to f6.
15.Bxf5: White trades the bishops.
15…exf5: You recapture with the e-pawn; the pawn on f5 keeps e4 under control. Level (eval 0).

Line 132: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 O-O 12.Qc2 Bf5 13.Bxf5 exf5 14.Qb3 Qc6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6

up to 9…Be7 as line 131

10.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 early (12 %).
10…Nxe5: You trade off the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop; it stands strongly on e5 and attacks your knight on f6.
11…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Qc2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.23); it wanted 12.a4.
12…Bf5: You offer the bishop trade – Stockfish's first choice. Level (eval 0).
13.Bxf5: White trades the light-squared bishops.
13…exf5: You recapture with the e-pawn; the pawn on f5 keeps e4 under control.
14.Qb3: The queen attacks b7.
14…Qc6: The queen covers b7.
15.Bxf6: White trades the bishop for your knight.
15…Bxf6: You recapture with the bishop. Level (eval 0).

Line 133: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Nf3 e6 8.Nbd2 Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.O-O O-O 11.Re1 Qf4 12.a4 Bf5 13.Bb5 Qc7 14.Nh4 Bg4 15.Qc1 a6

up to 6…Bg4 as line 132

7.Nf3: White develops the knight before playing Qb3 (8 %).
7…e6: You support d5 and open the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Nbd2: The knight goes to d2 – Stockfish's first choice. 62 % of these games were drawn.
8…Bd6: You offer to trade off the active bishop on f4. Stockfish named 8...Nh5 (loss 0.04).
9.Bxd6: White trades the dark-squared bishops.
9…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen – Stockfish's first choice.
10.O-O: White castles short.
10…O-O: You castle. The position is quiet and level.
11.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file – Stockfish's first choice.
11…Qf4: The queen stands actively on f4 and slows down White's pieces. Stockfish names 11...Rfe8 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.04).
12.a4: 12.a4 gains space on the queenside and prepares the bishop move to b5.
12…Bf5: The bishop attacks the bishop on d3 and offers a trade.
13.Bb5: The bishop steps to b5 and attacks your knight on c6.
13…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and covers the knight on c6.
14.Nh4: The knight attacks your bishop on f5.
14…Bg4: The bishop steps to g4 and attacks the queen on d1.
15.Qc1: The queen steps to c1.
15…a6: 15...a6 puts the question to the bishop on b5. Level (eval 0.07).

Line 134: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Nf3 e6 8.Qb3 Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.Nbd2 e5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Be2 O-O 13.O-O Ne4 14.Qd1 Nxd2 15.Nxd2 Bxe2

up to 7…e6 as line 133

8.Qb3: White attacks b7 (37 %); Stockfish finds this inaccurate (loss 0.10).
8…Bd6: Stockfish's move: you offer the bishop trade and later plan the advance e5 (eval 0).
9.Bxd6: White trades the dark-squared bishops.
9…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
10.Nbd2: The knight develops to d2.
10…e5: 10...e5 opens the centre – your pawn on d5 becomes isolated, but your pieces become active.
11.dxe5: White takes on e5 and attacks your queen on d6.
11…Nxe5: The knight recaptures and attacks the knight on f3 and the bishop on d3.
12.Be2: The bishop steps to e2.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…Ne4: The second knight jumps to e4 and attacks the knight on d2.
14.Qd1: The queen goes back to d1.
14…Nxd2: You trade the knights.
15.Nxd2: White recaptures.
15…Bxe2: You trade the bishops. Level (eval 0).

Line 135: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.O-O O-O 9.Re1 Bf5 10.Bxf5 gxf5 11.Nbd2 Ne4 12.Nf1 Qd6 13.Re2 Rad8 14.g3 b5 15.Nh4 Qf6

up to 5…Nf6 as line 134

6.h3: White prevents Bg4 (12 %).
6…g6: Since Bg4 is not possible, you put the bishop from f8 on the long diagonal. Stockfish names 6...e5 first by a hair (loss 0.11).
7.Nf3: White develops the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
7…Bg7: The bishop comes to g7; Stockfish wanted 7...Bf5 first (loss 0.21).
8.O-O: White castles. Stockfish names 8.Bf4 first (loss 0.10).
8…O-O: You castle; Stockfish names 8...Bf5 (loss 0.18).
9.Re1: The rook goes to e1. Stockfish wanted 9.Bf4 (loss 0.23), because now you trade bishops with 9...Bf5.
9…Bf5: You offer to trade off the bishop on d3. Black won half of these games.
10.Bxf5: For Stockfish as good as 10.Bb5: White trades the bishops and breaks up your kingside pawns.
10…gxf5: Recapture with the g-pawn: the pawn on f5 controls e4, and the g-file becomes half-open.
11.Nbd2: The knight goes to d2 in order to reach g3 via f1 and attack your pawn on f5.
11…Ne4: The knight jumps to e4 – a strong square, supported by f5 and d5.
12.Nf1: The knight goes to f1 and on to e3 or g3.
12…Qd6: The queen goes to d6 and connects the rooks.
13.Re2: The rook goes to e2 and covers the second rank.
13…Rad8: The rook goes to d8 and supports a later advance of the e-pawn.
14.g3: White covers f4 and h4 and prepares the knight move to h4.
14…b5: 14...b5 starts the minority attack against c3.
15.Nh4: The knight attacks your pawn on f5.
15…Qf6: The queen covers f5 and attacks the knight on h4. Level (eval 0.13).

Line 136: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.O-O O-O 9.Bf4 Bf5 10.Bxf5 gxf5 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Ne4 13.Nd2 Qb6 14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Qh5 f6

up to 8…O-O as line 135

9.Bf4: The bishop develops to f4 – Stockfish's first choice.
9…Bf5: You offer to trade off the bishop on d3 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Bxf5: White trades the light-squared bishops.
10…gxf5: Recapture with the g-pawn: the pawn on f5 controls e4. Black won 43 % of these games.
11.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5. Stockfish wanted 11.Ne1 (loss 0.18).
11…Nxe5: Stockfish's move: you trade off the knight on e5.
12.dxe5: White recaptures with the pawn and attacks your knight on f6.
12…Ne4: The knight jumps to e4 – a strong square, supported by d5 and f5.
13.Nd2: The knight attacks your knight on e4.
13…Qb6: The queen attacks b2.
14.Nxe4: White trades the knights.
14…dxe4: You recapture with the d-pawn.
15.Qh5: The queen goes to h5 and eyes your king.
15…f6: 15...f6 attacks the pawn on e5 and opens the f-file. Level (eval 0.06).

Line 137: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.O-O O-O 9.Bf4 Bf5 10.Re1 Bxd3 11.Qxd3 e6 12.Nbd2 Re8 13.Nb3 Rc8 14.Re2 Nh5 15.Bh2 Bh6

up to 9…Bf5 as line 136

10.Re1: The rook goes to e1. Stockfish wanted the bishop trade 10.Bxf5 (loss 0.25). Black won half of these games.
10…Bxd3: Stockfish's move: you trade the bishops.
11.Qxd3: The queen recaptures.
11…e6: 11...e6 supports d5 – the typical structure.
12.Nbd2: The knight develops to d2.
12…Re8: The rook goes to e8.
13.Nb3: The knight goes to b3 and eyes c5.
13…Rc8: The rook goes to the half-open c-file.
14.Re2: The rook goes to e2.
14…Nh5: The knight attacks the bishop on f4.
15.Bh2: The bishop retreats to h2.
15…Bh6: The bishop goes to h6 and controls the c1–h6 diagonal. White stands slightly better (eval 0.24).

Line 138: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Bf4 O-O 9.O-O

up to 7…Bg7 as line 137

8.Bf4: The bishop develops to f4 – Stockfish's first choice.
8…O-O: You castle. Stockfish names 8...Bf5 first (loss 0.07).
9.O-O: Transposition: the same position arises after 7.Nf3 7...Bg7 8.O-O 8...O-O 9.Bf4 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 139: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Bf4 O-O 9.Nbd2 Nh5 10.Bh2 Qb6 11.Qb3 Bh6 12.O-O Nf4 13.Bc2 Qxb3 14.Nxb3 Bf5 15.Bxf5 gxf5

up to 8…O-O as line 138

9.Nbd2: The knight develops to d2. Stockfish names 9.O-O first (loss 0.07).
9…Nh5: The knight attacks the bishop on f4. Stockfish named 9...Nd7 (loss 0.00).
10.Bh2: The bishop steps away from your knight on h5 – Stockfish's first choice. White won two thirds of these games.
10…Qb6: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on b2.
11.Qb3: The queen confronts your queen on b6.
11…Bh6: The bishop goes to h6 and attacks the knight on d2.
12.O-O: White castles.
12…Nf4: The knight jumps to f4 and attacks the bishop on d3.
13.Bc2: The bishop steps to c2.
13…Qxb3: You trade queens.
14.Nxb3: White recaptures with the knight.
14…Bf5: The bishop offers a trade for the bishop on c2.
15.Bxf5: White trades the bishops.
15…gxf5: You recapture with the g-pawn; your knight on f4 stands strongly. Level (eval 0.13).

Line 140: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Bf4 Bg7 8.Nf3

up to 6…g6 as line 139

7.Bf4: The bishop goes to f4. Stockfish names 7.Nf3 first (loss 0.03). White won 47 % of these games.
7…Bg7: The bishop comes to g7; Stockfish wanted 7...Bf5 (loss 0.19).
8.Nf3: Transposition: the same position arises after 7.Nf3 7...Bg7 8.Bf4 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 141: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.O-O e6 8.Bf4 Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.Nbd2

up to 5…Nf6 as line 140

6.Nf3: A rare move (6 %), but Stockfish's first choice: White develops the knight.
6…Bg4: The bishop gets outside the pawn chain and pins the knight on f3 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.O-O: White castles. Stockfish wanted 7.h3 against your bishop on g4 first (loss 0.11).
7…e6: You open the bishop on f8; Stockfish wanted 7...Qc7 (loss 0.05).
8.Bf4: The bishop goes to f4. Stockfish again wanted 8.h3 (loss 0.10). Eight of these nine games were drawn.
8…Bd6: You offer the bishop trade; Stockfish wanted 8...Ne4 (loss 0.07). Black won none of these games; most ended in a draw.
9.Bxd6: White trades the dark-squared bishops.
9…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen; she stands centrally. Level (eval 0.17).
10.Nbd2: Transposition: the same position arises after 6.Bf4 6...Bg4 7.Nf3 7...e6 8.Nbd2 8...Bd6 9.Bxd6 9...Qxd6 10.O-O – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 142: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.O-O e6 8.Bg5 Bd6 9.Nbd2 O-O 10.Re1 Rc8 11.h3 Bh5 12.Qb1 Qc7 13.Nh4 Rce8 14.Qc2 Rc8 15.Qb1

up to 7…e6 as line 141

8.Bg5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.18); it wanted 8.h3.
8…Bd6: Stockfish's move: the bishop develops actively to d6 (eval 0).
9.Nbd2: The knight develops to d2.
9…O-O: You castle.
10.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
10…Rc8: The rook goes to the half-open c-file.
11.h3: The pawn attacks your bishop on g4.
11…Bh5: The bishop steps to h5.
12.Qb1: The queen goes to b1 and, with the bishop on d3, aims at h7.
12…Qc7: The queen goes to c7.
13.Nh4: The knight goes to h4 and eyes f5.
13…Rce8: The rook goes to e8 and prepares e6–e5.
14.Qc2: The queen returns to c2.
14…Rc8: The rook returns to c8.
15.Qb1: The queen goes to b1 again – the position repeats. Level (eval 0). (transposition)

Line 143: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.O-O e6 8.h3 Bh5 9.Bf4 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Qxd6 12.Nd2 O-O 13.Rfe1 Rfe8 14.Rad1 Rad8 15.Bf1 Re7

up to 7…e6 as line 142

8.h3: The pawn attacks your bishop on g4 – Stockfish's first choice. White won none of these games.
8…Bh5: The bishop stays on the diagonal and keeps up the pin.
9.Bf4: The bishop develops to f4.
9…Bd6: Stockfish's move: you offer the bishop trade.
10.Bxd6: White trades the dark-squared bishops.
10…Bxf3: An in-between move: first you take the knight on f3, then the piece on d6.
11.Qxf3: The queen recaptures.
11…Qxd6: Now you take back the bishop on d6.
12.Nd2: The knight develops to d2.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Rfe1: The rook goes to the e-file.
13…Rfe8: The rook goes to e8.
14.Rad1: The rook goes to d1.
14…Rad8: The rook goes to d8 and prepares e6–e5.
15.Bf1: The bishop retreats to f1.
15…Re7: The rook goes to e7 and wants to double the rooks. Level (eval 0.16).

Line 144: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 Bh5 8.Bf4 e6 9.Nbd2 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Re1 Nd7 13.Qb1 Bg6 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Qd3 Rab8

up to 6…Bg4 as line 143

7.h3: White questions the bishop at once (18 %).
7…Bh5: The bishop stays on the diagonal and keeps up the pin – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Bf4: The bishop develops to f4.
8…e6: 8...e6 opens the bishop on f8.
9.Nbd2: The knight develops to d2.
9…Bd6: The bishop offers a trade for the bishop on f4.
10.Bxd6: White trades the dark-squared bishops.
10…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
12…Nd7: The knight goes to d7 and covers e5.
13.Qb1: The queen goes to b1 and, with the bishop, aims at h7.
13…Bg6: The bishop offers a trade for the bishop on d3.
14.Bxg6: White trades the bishops.
14…hxg6: You recapture with the h-pawn.
15.Qd3: The queen returns to d3.
15…Rab8: The rook goes to b8 and prepares the minority attack with b7–b5. White stands marginally better (eval 0.15).

Line 145: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.Bf4

up to 6…Bg4 as line 144

7.Bf4: Transposition: the same position arises after 6.Bf4 6...Bg4 7.Nf3 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 146: 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.Nbd2 e6 8.O-O Bd6 9.Re1 O-O 10.Nf1 Qb6 11.h3 Bh5 12.Ng3 Bxg3 13.fxg3 Bg6 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Kh2 Ne4

up to 6…Bg4 as line 145

7.Nbd2: A mistake according to Stockfish (loss 0.36): Black is already slightly better (eval −0.28).
7…e6: You open the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.O-O: White castles – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Bd6: Stockfish's move: the bishop develops to d6 (eval −0.22).
9.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
9…O-O: You castle.
10.Nf1: The knight goes to f1 and on to g3.
10…Qb6: The queen attacks b2.
11.h3: The pawn attacks your bishop on g4.
11…Bh5: The bishop steps to h5 and keeps the pin.
12.Ng3: The knight attacks your bishop on h5.
12…Bxg3: You take the knight on g3 – White's pawns become doubled.
13.fxg3: White recaptures with the f-pawn.
13…Bg6: The bishop offers a trade for the bishop on d3.
14.Bxg6: White trades the bishops.
14…hxg6: You recapture with the h-pawn.
15.Kh2: The king goes to h2.
15…Ne4: The knight jumps to e4 and stands strongly against the doubled g-pawns. You stand marginally better (eval −0.05).

Line 147: 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4

up to 2…d5 as line 146

3.Nd2: White covers e4 with the other knight (21 %). You take on e4 just as against 3.Nc3.
3…dxe4: You exchange the central pawn – Stockfish's first choice.
4.Nxe4: Transposition: the same position as in the main line after 4.Nxe4 – the course continues there with 4...Bf5. (transposition)

Chapter 2: 2.Nc3

Line 148: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d3 Nd7 7.Bd2 Ngf6 8.g4 g6 9.Qg3 h5 10.g5 Ng8 11.f4 Bg7 12.h4 Ne7 13.Bh3 O-O 14.O-O-O Qc7 15.Qf2 Qb6

2.Nc3: White develops the knight first (7 %) and keeps d4 in reserve.
2…d5: You attack e4 anyway – Stockfish's first choice. After 3.d4 you would be back in the main line.
3.Nf3: The Two Knights Variation (75 %): White skips d4 and develops quickly.
3…Bg4: The bishop pins the knight on f3 to the queen – Stockfish's first choice.
4.h3: White questions the bishop at once (92 %).
4…Bxf3: You give the bishop for the knight and then build a firm pawn chain c6–d5–e6 with e6.
5.Qxf3: White recaptures with the queen (99 %) and has the bishop pair, you the solid structure.
5…e6: You support d5 and open the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
6.d3: White covers e4 with the pawn (33 %).
6…Nd7: The knight comes to d7 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Bd2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.19); it wanted 7.Be2.
7…Ngf6: The knight comes to f6; Stockfish wanted 7...Qb6 against b2 (loss 0.19).
8.g4: White advances the g-pawn (85 %) and threatens g5.
8…g6: You prepare the bishop's move to g7; Stockfish wanted 8...h6 (loss 0.14).
9.Qg3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.30); it wanted 9.O-O-O.
9…h5: You attack the pawn on g4 and open the h-file. At depth 30 Stockfish considers 9...Qb6 stronger (loss 0.26).
10.g5: The pawn attacks your knight on f6.
10…Ng8: The knight retreats to g8 and comes back into play via e7.
11.f4: 11.f4 gains space on the kingside.
11…Bg7: The bishop goes to g7 and presses on the knight on c3.
12.h4: 12.h4 secures the pawn on g5.
12…Ne7: The knight develops to e7.
13.Bh3: The bishop goes to h3 and aims at e6.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.O-O-O: White castles long.
14…Qc7: The queen goes to c7.
15.Qf2: The queen goes to f2.
15…Qb6: The queen offers a queen trade. White stands slightly better (eval 0.29).

Line 149: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d3 Nd7 7.Be2 g6 8.O-O Bg7 9.Qg3 Ne7 10.h4 Be5 11.f4 Bd4 12.Kh1 h5 13.Bf3 Bg7 14.Nd1 Qc7 15.Qe1 O-O

up to 6…Nd7 as line 148

7.Be2: The bishop goes to e2 – Stockfish's first choice.
7…g6: You put your bishop on the long diagonal; 7...Bd6 would be just as good.
8.O-O: White castles short.
8…Bg7: The bishop comes to g7 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Qg3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.17); it wanted 9.a4.
9…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.h4: 10.h4 threatens to attack your kingside pawns with h4–h5.
10…Be5: The bishop attacks the queen on g3.
11.f4: White drives your bishop away with 11.f4.
11…Bd4: The bishop gives check from d4.
12.Kh1: The king goes to h1.
12…h5: 12...h5 stops the pawn on h4.
13.Bf3: The bishop goes to f3.
13…Bg7: The bishop returns to g7.
14.Nd1: The knight goes to d1 and on to f2 or e3.
14…Qc7: The queen goes to c7.
15.Qe1: The queen goes to e1.
15…O-O: You castle. Level (eval −0.03).

Line 150: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d3 Nd7 7.g3 g6 8.Bg2 Bg7 9.O-O Ne7 10.Qe2 O-O 11.a4 a5 12.Kh1 Rb8 13.Bf4 Ra8 14.h4 h5 15.Bg5 Re8

up to 6…Nd7 as line 149

7.g3: White prepares Bg2 (20 %).
7…g6: You also put your bishop on the long diagonal; Stockfish wanted 7...Bb4 (loss 0.13). Black won 56 % of these games.
8.Bg2: The bishop goes to the long diagonal – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Bg7: The bishop comes to g7 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.O-O: White castles. Stockfish names 9.h4 first, equally good.
9…Ne7: The knight enters play via e7, then you castle. Stockfish agrees.
10.Qe2: The queen goes to e2. White won half of these games.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
11.a4: 11.a4 gains space on the queenside.
11…a5: 11...a5 stops the a-pawn.
12.Kh1: The king goes to h1.
12…Rb8: The rook goes to b8 and prepares b7–b5.
13.Bf4: The bishop attacks your rook on b8.
13…Ra8: The rook returns to a8.
14.h4: 14.h4 gains space on the kingside.
14…h5: 14...h5 stops the h-pawn.
15.Bg5: The bishop attacks your knight on e7.
15…Re8: The rook covers e7. Level (eval 0.17).

Line 151: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d3 Nd7 7.a3 Bd6 8.d4 Ne7 9.Bd3 Qb6 10.Ne2 e5 11.exd5 cxd5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Qe3 O-O 14.Qxb6 Nxd3 15.cxd3 axb6

up to 6…Nd7 as line 150

7.a3: 7.a3 takes the square b4 away from your bishop. Stockfish wanted 7.Be2 (loss 0.19).
7…Bd6: The bishop comes actively to d6; Stockfish saw 7...Ngf6 as equal (loss 0.11).
8.d4: White moves the d-pawn a second time and occupies the centre.
8…Ne7: The knight goes to e7 – from there it can reach g6 or f5.
9.Bd3: The bishop develops to d3.
9…Qb6: The queen attacks d4 and b2.
10.Ne2: The knight covers d4.
10…e5: 10...e5 attacks the centre.
11.exd5: White takes on d5.
11…cxd5: You recapture with the c-pawn.
12.dxe5: White takes on e5 and attacks your bishop on d6.
12…Nxe5: The knight recaptures and attacks the queen on f3 and the bishop on d3.
13.Qe3: The queen steps to e3 and offers a queen trade.
13…O-O: You castle and allow the queen trade.
14.Qxb6: White trades queens.
14…Nxd3: First you take the bishop on d3 with check – you recapture the queen afterwards.
15.cxd3: White takes back the knight.
15…axb6: You recapture the queen; the a-file opens for your rook. The endgame is level (eval 0.10).

Line 152: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d3 Nd7 7.Qg3 g6 8.Be2 Bg7 9.O-O

up to 6…Nd7 as line 151

7.Qg3: The queen goes to g3 and eyes g7. Stockfish wanted 7.Be2 (loss 0.19).
7…g6: Stockfish's move: you prepare Bg7 (eval 0).
8.Be2: The bishop develops to e2.
8…Bg7: The bishop goes to g7 and presses on the knight on c3.
9.O-O: White castles. Transposition: this position also arises by another move order – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 153: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d4 Nf6 7.Bd3 dxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Qxe4 Nd7 10.c3 Nf6 11.Qe2 Be7 12.O-O O-O 13.Re1 c5 14.dxc5 Bxc5 15.a3 Qc7

up to 5…e6 as line 152

6.d4: White plays d4 after all (25 %).
6…Nf6: The knight attacks e4 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Bd3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.17); it wanted 7.Be2.
7…dxe4: You exchange on e4 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Nxe4: White recaptures with the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Nxe4: The course move is solid, but Stockfish grabs a pawn with 8...Qxd4 (loss 0.23).
9.Qxe4: The queen recaptures and stands centrally.
9…Nd7: The knight comes to d7 and heads for f6.
10.c3: White supports d4.
10…Nf6: The knight comes to f6 and attacks the queen.
11.Qe2: The queen steps away from your knight on f6.
11…Be7: The bishop comes to e7; Stockfish wanted 11...Qd5 (loss 0.15).
12.O-O: White castles short. Stockfish wanted 12.h4 to attack on the kingside (loss 0.24).
12…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
13…c5: 13...c5 attacks d4 – your typical freeing move.
14.dxc5: White takes on c5.
14…Bxc5: You recapture with the bishop; it stands actively and aims at f2.
15.a3: White wants to drive away your bishop with b2–b4.
15…Qc7: The queen goes to c7. White has the bishop pair and stands slightly better (eval 0.29).

Line 154: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d4 Nf6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.O-O-O Nxe4 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.Qxe4 Nd7 12.Kb1 O-O-O 13.Be2 Nb6 14.g4 g6 15.c3 Rhe8

up to 6…Nf6 as line 153

7.Bg5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.17); it wanted 7.Be2.
7…Be7: You break the pin; Stockfish wanted 7...h6 (loss 0.00).
8.O-O-O: White castles long and gives up the pawn on e4 – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Nxe4: Stockfish's move: you exchange on e4 and simplify (eval 0.00).
9.Bxe7: White first trades the bishops.
9…Qxe7: You recapture with the queen.
10.Nxe4: White takes the knight on e4.
10…dxe4: You recapture and attack the queen on f3.
11.Qxe4: The queen takes the pawn on e4 – material is equal again.
11…Nd7: The knight develops to d7.
12.Kb1: The king goes to b1.
12…O-O-O: You castle long as well.
13.Be2: The bishop develops to e2.
13…Nb6: The knight goes to b6 and eyes d5 and c4.
14.g4: 14.g4 gains space on the kingside.
14…g6: 14...g6 holds up White's pawns.
15.c3: White supports d4.
15…Rhe8: The rook goes to e8. Level (eval 0.04).

Line 155: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.d4 Nf6 7.exd5 cxd5 8.Bd3 Nc6 9.Ne2 g6 10.Bg5 Bg7 11.Rd1 h6 12.Bf4 Nh5 13.Bc1 O-O 14.O-O Re8 15.c3 e5

up to 6…Nf6 as line 154

7.exd5: White trades on d5. Stockfish wanted 7.Be2 (loss 0.10).
7…cxd5: You recapture with the c-pawn – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Bd3: The bishop develops to d3.
8…Nc6: The knight attacks d4.
9.Ne2: The knight covers d4. Black won half of these games.
9…g6: 9...g6 prepares the bishop on g7, where it aims at d4.
10.Bg5: The bishop pins your knight on f6 to the queen.
10…Bg7: The bishop goes to g7.
11.Rd1: The rook covers d4.
11…h6: 11...h6 puts the question to the bishop on g5.
12.Bf4: The bishop steps to f4.
12…Nh5: The knight attacks the bishop on f4.
13.Bc1: The bishop retreats to c1.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.O-O: White castles as well.
14…Re8: The rook goes to e8 and prepares e6–e5.
15.c3: White supports d4.
15…e5: 15...e5 opens the centre. Level (eval 0.10).

Line 156: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.d4 dxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Nf6 11.Qd3 Qc7 12.O-O Rd8 13.c4 Bc5 14.Be3 Bxd4 15.Bxd4 c5

up to 5…e6 as line 155

6.g3: White prepares Bg2 (20 %).
6…Nf6: The knight attacks e4; Stockfish names 6...Nd7 (loss 0.00).
7.Bg2: The bishop goes to the long diagonal – Stockfish's first choice. White has the bishop pair.
7…Nbd7: The knight comes to d7; Stockfish wanted to gain space with 7...d4 (loss 0.15).
8.d4: White occupies the centre – Stockfish's first choice.
8…dxe4: You exchange on e4 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Nxe4: White recaptures with the knight and offers a trade.
9…Nxe4: You trade the knights and simplify.
10.Qxe4: The queen recaptures and stands centrally.
10…Nf6: The knight comes to f6 and attacks the queen – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Qd3: The queen steps away from your knight on f6 and covers d4.
11…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and clears d8 for the rook.
12.O-O: White castles short.
12…Rd8: The rook goes to the d-file, opposite the queen on d3 – the pawn on d4 still stands in between.
13.c4: 13.c4 gains space and keeps d5 under control.
13…Bc5: The bishop goes to c5 – 14.dxc5 is out of the question: then the d-file opens and your rook on d8 takes the queen on d3.
14.Be3: White covers d4 with the bishop.
14…Bxd4: You capture on d4. After 15.Bxd4 15...c5 the bishop is pinned to the queen on d3.
15.Bxd4: White recaptures and is a piece up for the moment.
15…c5: 15...c5 attacks the pinned bishop on d4: behind it stand the queen on d3 and your rook on d8. You win the piece back – level (eval 0).

Line 157: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.O-O Bb4 9.exd5 cxd5 10.d4 Rc8 11.Nd1 Bd6 12.Qd3 O-O 13.Ne3 Nb8 14.b3 Nc6 15.Bb2 h5

up to 7…Nbd7 as line 156

8.O-O: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.28); it wanted 8.d4.
8…Bb4: The bishop attacks the knight on c3; Stockfish wanted 8...Ne5 against the queen (loss 0.17).
9.exd5: White trades on d5.
9…cxd5: You recapture with the c-pawn.
10.d4: White occupies the centre.
10…Rc8: The rook goes to the half-open c-file against the knight on c3.
11.Nd1: The knight retreats to d1 and wants to reach e3.
11…Bd6: The bishop goes to d6.
12.Qd3: The queen goes to d3.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Ne3: The knight goes to e3 and presses on d5.
13…Nb8: The knight goes to c6 via b8.
14.b3: 14.b3 prepares the bishop on b2.
14…Nc6: The knight attacks d4.
15.Bb2: The bishop covers d4.
15…h5: 15...h5 gains space on the kingside. Level (eval 0.11).

Line 158: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Bg2 Nbd7 8.d3 Bb4 9.O-O O-O 10.a4 Qa5 11.Nb1 Qc7 12.c3 Be7 13.a5 dxe4 14.dxe4 b5 15.Qe2 a6

up to 7…Nbd7 as line 157

8.d3: 8.d3 supports e4. Stockfish wanted 8.d4 (loss 0.11). White won half of these games, the rest were drawn.
8…Bb4: The bishop pins the knight on c3; Stockfish names 8...dxe4 (loss 0.04).
9.O-O: White castles short.
9…O-O: You castle.
10.a4: 10.a4 gains space on the queenside.
10…Qa5: The queen attacks the knight on c3 a second time.
11.Nb1: The knight retreats to b1.
11…Qc7: The queen goes to c7.
12.c3: The pawn attacks your bishop on b4.
12…Be7: The bishop retreats to e7.
13.a5: 13.a5 gains further space.
13…dxe4: You trade on e4 and attack the queen on f3.
14.dxe4: White recaptures with the d-pawn.
14…b5: 14...b5 gains space on the queenside.
15.Qe2: The queen goes to e2.
15…a6: 15...a6 supports b5. Level (eval 0.15).

Line 159: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.g3 Nf6 7.d3 Bb4 8.Bd2 d4 9.Nb1 Qb6 10.b3 a5 11.a3 Be7 12.Bg2 Nfd7 13.O-O a4 14.b4 c5 15.e5 Nc6

up to 6…Nf6 as line 158

7.d3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.17); it wanted 7.Bg2.
7…Bb4: The bishop pins the knight on c3 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Bd2: The bishop supports the pinned knight on c3. Stockfish names 8.a3 first (loss 0.07). Black won 46 % of these games.
8…d4: The pawn chases the knight on c3 and gains space – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Nb1: The knight steps back from the pawn on d4 to b1 – Stockfish's first choice.
9…Qb6: The queen attacks b2 – Stockfish's first choice. Black won 62 % of these games.
10.b3: The pawn steps out of your queen's attack. Stockfish wanted 10.Bg2 (loss 0.09).
10…a5: Stockfish's move: the a-pawn gains space on the queenside (eval −0.23).
11.a3: The pawn attacks your bishop on b4.
11…Be7: The bishop goes back to e7.
12.Bg2: The bishop goes to the long diagonal.
12…Nfd7: The knight goes to d7 and wants to continue via c5 or e5.
13.O-O: White castles short.
13…a4: 13...a4 attacks the pawn on b3 and loosens White's queenside.
14.b4: White moves the pawn on to b4.
14…c5: 14...c5 attacks b4 and opens the queenside.
15.e5: White advances and opens the long diagonal up to b7 for the queen on f3.
15…Nc6: The knight attacks b4 and e5. You stand slightly better (eval −0.13).

Line 160: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be2 Nd7 7.O-O Ngf6 8.d4 dxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Nf6 11.Qd3 Be7 12.Bf3 O-O 13.Rd1 Qc7 14.Qe2 Rad8 15.Be3 b6

up to 5…e6 as line 159

6.Be2: White develops the bishop (11 %).
6…Nd7: The knight comes to d7; Stockfish names 6...Bc5 (loss 0.08).
7.O-O: White castles short. Stockfish names 7.d4 first (loss 0.07).
7…Ngf6: The knight comes to f6 and attacks e4.
8.d4: White occupies the centre – Stockfish's first choice.
8…dxe4: You exchange on e4 and simplify.
9.Nxe4: White recaptures with the knight and offers a trade.
9…Nxe4: You trade the knights – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Qxe4: The queen recaptures and stands centrally.
10…Nf6: The knight comes to f6 with tempo and attacks the queen.
11.Qd3: The queen steps away from your knight on f6. 75 % of these games were drawn.
11…Be7: Stockfish's move: you develop the bishop and castle next. Most of these games ended in a draw.
12.Bf3: The bishop goes to f3 – White has the bishop pair.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Rd1: The rook goes to the d-file and supports d4.
13…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and clears d8 for the rook.
14.Qe2: The queen leaves the d-file before your rook gets there.
14…Rad8: The rook goes to the d-file against d4.
15.Be3: The bishop covers d4.
15…b6: 15...b6 prepares the advance c6–c5. White has the bishop pair, but the position is solid (eval 0.17).

Line 161: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be2 Nd7 7.O-O Ngf6 8.d4 dxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Nf6 11.Qe3 Be7 12.Rd1 O-O 13.c4 Qc7 14.Qf3 Rfd8 15.a3 Rd7

up to 10…Nf6 as line 160

11.Qe3: The queen steps to e3. Stockfish wanted 11.Qd3 (loss 0.12).
11…Be7: The bishop develops to e7.
12.Rd1: The rook covers d4.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.c4: 13.c4 gains space in the centre.
13…Qc7: The queen goes to c7.
14.Qf3: The queen goes to f3.
14…Rfd8: The rook goes to the d-file against d4.
15.a3: 15.a3 prepares b2–b4.
15…Rd7: The rook goes to d7 to double the rooks. White stands slightly better (eval 0.18).

Line 162: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.Be2 Nd7 7.d4 dxe4 8.Nxe4 Ngf6 9.Nd2 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Re1 Qc7 12.c3 Rfd8 13.Nc4 Nd5 14.Ne3 N7f6 15.Nxd5 Rxd5

up to 6…Nd7 as line 161

7.d4: White occupies the centre – Stockfish's first choice. White won 62 % of these games.
7…dxe4: You take on e4 and attack the queen on f3.
8.Nxe4: The knight recaptures and covers the queen.
8…Ngf6: The knight attacks the knight on e4. Stockfish names 8...Ndf6 first, hardly any difference (loss 0.05).
9.Nd2: The knight avoids the trade by going to d2.
9…Be7: The bishop goes to e7 and prepares castling.
10.O-O: White castles short.
10…O-O: You castle.
11.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
11…Qc7: The queen goes to c7 and connects the rooks.
12.c3: White supports d4.
12…Rfd8: The rook goes to the d-file against d4.
13.Nc4: The knight goes to c4 and on to e3 or e5.
13…Nd5: The knight jumps to d5 – a strong square.
14.Ne3: The knight attacks your knight on d5.
14…N7f6: The second knight covers d5.
15.Nxd5: White trades on d5.
15…Rxd5: You recapture with the rook; it stands actively in the centre. White has the bishop pair and stands slightly better (eval 0.26).

Line 163: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.a3 Nd7 7.d3

up to 5…e6 as line 162

6.a3: Stockfish wanted 6.Be2, but the difference is small (loss 0.07).
6…Nd7: The knight comes to d7; Stockfish saw 6...Nf6 as equal (loss 0.02).
7.d3: Transposition: the same position arises after 6.d3 6...Nd7 7.a3 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 164: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Bg4 4.h3 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 e6 6.a3 Nd7 7.d4 Qb6 8.Qd3 Rd8 9.exd5 cxd5 10.g3 Bd6 11.Bg2 Ne7 12.O-O O-O 13.Ne2 Nf6 14.c3 Ng6 15.a4 h6

up to 6…Nd7 as line 163

7.d4: White occupies the centre – Stockfish's first choice. Black won two thirds of these games.
7…Qb6: The queen attacks d4 and b2.
8.Qd3: The queen covers d4.
8…Rd8: The rook goes to d8, opposite the queen on d3.
9.exd5: White trades on d5.
9…cxd5: You recapture with the c-pawn.
10.g3: 10.g3 prepares the bishop on g2.
10…Bd6: The bishop develops to d6.
11.Bg2: The bishop goes to the long diagonal and presses on d5.
11…Ne7: The knight covers d5.
12.O-O: White castles.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Ne2: The knight goes to e2.
13…Nf6: The knight develops to f6.
14.c3: White supports d4.
14…Ng6: The knight goes to g6.
15.a4: 15.a4 gains space on the queenside.
15…h6: 15...h6 gives your king some air. White stands marginally better (eval 0.13).

Line 165: 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4

up to 2…d5 as line 164

3.d4: Transposition to the main line after 2.d4 2...d5 3.Nc3 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 166: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Qf3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.d4 Ndf6 6.c3 Nxe4 7.Qxe4 Nf6 8.Qc2 Bg4 9.Ne2 Qa5 10.Ng3 e5 11.Bc4 O-O-O 12.O-O exd4 13.cxd4 Rxd4 14.Bxf7 Rd7 15.Bc4 h5

up to 2…d5 as line 165

3.Qf3: The Goldman Variation (6 %): the queen covers e4 and supports the knight. For Stockfish as good as 3.d4.
3…dxe4: You exchange on e4 – Stockfish's first choice.
4.Nxe4: White recaptures with the knight; the queen on f3 and the knight on e4 are out early.
4…Nd7: The knight comes to d7 and heads for f6. Stockfish names 4...Nf6 directly (loss 0.16).
5.d4: White occupies the centre – Stockfish's first choice.
5…Ndf6: The knight attacks the knight on e4; Stockfish names 5...Ngf6 (loss 0.16).
6.c3: White supports d4.
6…Nxe4: You trade the knights – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Qxe4: The queen recaptures and stands centrally – but your knight on f6 attacks her at once.
7…Nf6: The other knight comes to f6 with tempo.
8.Qc2: The queen steps to c2. 75 % of these games were drawn.
8…Bg4: The bishop comes out and controls e2: after Be2 you trade the bishops. Stockfish's first choice.
9.Ne2: For Stockfish as good as 9.Be2.
9…Qa5: Stockfish's move: the queen comes actively to a5 and prepares e5 (eval 0).
10.Ng3: The knight goes to g3 and clears the way for the bishop on f1.
10…e5: 10...e5 attacks the centre – your pieces are active enough for it.
11.Bc4: The bishop develops to c4 and aims at f7.
11…O-O-O: You castle long, and the rook is at once on the d-file against d4.
12.O-O: White castles short – the kings are on opposite sides.
12…exd4: You take on d4.
13.cxd4: White recaptures.
13…Rxd4: The rook takes the pawn on d4 and attacks the bishop on c4 – you are a pawn up.
14.Bxf7: White wins the material back with the pawn on f7.
14…Rd7: The rook attacks the bishop on f7.
15.Bc4: The bishop retreats to c4.
15…h5: 15...h5 starts your attack with the h-pawn against White's king. Level (eval 0).

Line 167: 2.Nc3 d5 3.Qf3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.b3 Ngf6 6.Bb2 Nxe4 7.Qxe4 Nf6 8.Qe5 g6 9.O-O-O Bg7 10.Re1 Be6 11.Ne2 O-O 12.Nf4 Bf5 13.Qxe7 Ne4 14.Qxd8 Bxb2 15.Kxb2 Raxd8

up to 4…Nd7 as line 166

5.b3: White prepares Bb2 (13 %).
5…Ngf6: Stockfish's move: the knight comes to f6 and attacks the knight on e4.
6.Bb2: The bishop goes to the long diagonal.
6…Nxe4: You trade the knights.
7.Qxe4: The queen recaptures.
7…Nf6: The knight attacks the queen on e4.
8.Qe5: The queen steps to e5.
8…g6: 8...g6 prepares the bishop on g7 – it will confront the bishop on b2.
9.O-O-O: White castles long.
9…Bg7: The bishop goes to g7.
10.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
10…Be6: The bishop develops to e6.
11.Ne2: The knight develops to e2.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.Nf4: The knight attacks your bishop on e6.
12…Bf5: The bishop steps to f5 and leaves the pawn on e7 undefended.
13.Qxe7: The queen takes the pawn on e7.
13…Ne4: The knight jumps to e4 and opens the diagonal of your bishop on g7 against the bishop on b2.
14.Qxd8: White trades queens.
14…Bxb2: First you take the bishop on b2, with check.
15.Kxb2: The king recaptures.
15…Raxd8: Now you recapture the queen. White is a pawn up, your pieces are active – level (eval 0.06).

Chapter 3: 2.c4

Line 168: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.d4 Bg4 8.Qb3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 e6 10.Qxb7 Nxd4 11.Bb5 Nxb5 12.Qc6 Ke7 13.Qxb5 Qd7 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 exd5 16.Be3 Ke6

2.c4: The Accelerated Panov Attack (6 %): White fights for d5 at once. Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.28).
2…d5: You attack e4 – Stockfish's first choice.
3.exd5: White takes on d5 – the most frequent reply (64 %). After 3...cxd5 4.cxd5 4...Nf6 play heads for positions of the Panov Attack.
3…cxd5: Recapture with the c-pawn – Stockfish's first choice.
4.cxd5: White takes on d5 once more (83 %).
4…Nf6: You win the pawn back with the knight – first develop, then capture. Stockfish's first choice.
5.Nc3: White protects the pawn on d5 with the knight. Stockfish names the check 5.Bb5+ first (loss 0.09).
5…Nxd5: You take the pawn back – Stockfish's first choice. Your knight stands centrally on d5.
6.Nf3: White develops the knight – Stockfish's first choice. After 6...Nc6 7.d4 the Panov Attack is on the board by a different move order.
6…Nc6: The knight develops and watches d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.d4: White occupies the centre with d4 (44 %).
7…Bg4: The bishop pins the knight on f3 – Stockfish's first choice. Usually a long, forced sequence follows now.
8.Qb3: White attacks b7 and the knight on d5 at the same time (92 %).
8…Bxf3: You exchange on f3 so that you can then cover the knight on d5 with e6.
9.gxf3: White recaptures with the g-pawn so the queen on b3 keeps aiming at b7 and d5. In return White's kingside pawns are broken up.
9…e6: The knight is covered; you give up the pawn on b7 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Qxb7: White takes the pawn (100 %).
10…Nxd4: The counter-blow: you take on d4 and threaten nasty things on c2. Stockfish's first choice.
11.Bb5: Check! White has nothing better (100 %).
11…Nxb5: You take the bishop – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Qc6: Check! Next the queen wins back the knight on b5.
12…Ke7: The king goes to e7 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Qxb5: White takes back the knight (98 %).
13…Qd7: You offer the queen trade – Stockfish's first choice.
14.Nxd5: White takes the knight on d5 with check.
14…Qxd5: You recapture. Now the queens come off, and a level endgame arises.
15.Qxd5: White trades queens – the well-known endgame of this line: equal material, your pawn on d5 is isolated, White's f-pawns are doubled. Stockfish names 15.Bg5+ first but sees no difference.
15…exd5: The endgame is level (eval 0); about two thirds of these games ended in a draw.
16.Be3: The bishop develops to e3; Stockfish considers 16.Bg5+ equal. The endgame is level (eval 0) – 66 % of these games are drawn.
16…Ke6: The king centralises – in the endgame it is a strong piece. Stockfish's first choice.

Line 169: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.d4 Bg4 8.Qb3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 e6 10.Qxb7 Nxd4 11.Bb5 Nxb5 12.Qc6 Ke7 13.Qxb5 Qd7 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 exd5 16.O-O Ke6

up to 15…exd5 as line 168

16.O-O: White castles short. Stockfish names 16.Bg5+ first (loss 0.08). The endgame is level; 71 % of these games were drawn.
16…Ke6: The king centralises – Stockfish's first choice.

Line 170: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.d4 Bg4 8.Qb3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 e6 10.Qxb7 Nxd4 11.Bb5 Nxb5 12.Qc6 Ke7 13.Qxb5 Qd7 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 exd5 16.Bf4 Ke6

up to 15…exd5 as line 169

16.Bf4: The bishop develops to f4. Stockfish names 16.Bg5+ first, equally good. Two thirds of these games were drawn.
16…Ke6: The king centralises – Stockfish's first choice.

Line 171: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.d4 Bg4 8.Qb3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 e6 10.Qxb7 Nxd4 11.Bb5 Nxb5 12.Qc6 Ke7 13.Qxb5 Qd7 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Bg5 f6 16.Qxd5 exd5

up to 14…Qxd5 as line 170

15.Bg5: White first gives check with the bishop (29 %).
15…f6: You block with the f-pawn – Stockfish's first choice.
16.Qxd5: White trades queens – the well-known endgame with the isolated pawn on d5. 77 % of these games were drawn.
16…exd5: A level endgame (eval 0) – three quarters of these games ended in a draw.

Line 172: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bb5 e6 8.O-O Be7 9.d4 O-O 10.Re1 Bd7 11.Bd3 Bf6 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.h3 Rc8 14.a3 Re8 15.Be3 Na5

up to 6…Nc6 as line 171

7.Bb5: White pins the knight on c6 (39 %).
7…e6: You open the bishop on f8; Stockfish wanted 7...g6 (loss 0.19).
8.O-O: White castles short – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Be7: The bishop comes to e7, then you castle. Stockfish saw 8...Bd6 as equal (loss 0).
9.d4: White occupies the centre; the pawn on d4 is now isolated. Stockfish names 9.Re1 first (loss 0.11).
9…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice. White has an isolated pawn on d4.
10.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file – Stockfish's first choice.
10…Bd7: The bishop comes to d7 and breaks the pin – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and aims at h7. Stockfish wanted 11.Bc4 (loss 0.11). Black won 46 % of these games.
11…Bf6: Stockfish's move: the bishop increases the pressure on d4.
12.Nxd5: White trades on d5.
12…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn – now you have an isolated d-pawn too.
13.h3: White takes the square g4 away from your bishop.
13…Rc8: The rook goes to the open c-file.
14.a3: White keeps your knight away from b4.
14…Re8: The rook opposes the rook on e1.
15.Be3: White covers d4.
15…Na5: The knight wants to continue via c4, where it presses on e3 and b2. Level (eval 0.03).

Line 173: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bb5 e6 8.O-O Be7 9.Re1 O-O 10.d4

up to 8…Be7 as line 172

9.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file – Stockfish's first choice.
9…O-O: You castle.
10.d4: White occupies the centre. Transposition: this position also arises by another move order – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 174: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Be7 9.d4 O-O 10.Re1 Bf6 11.Ne4 b6 12.a3 Bb7 13.Qd3 Nce7 14.Bd2 Rc8 15.Rad1 Nf5

up to 6…Nc6 as line 173

7.Bc4: White attacks the knight on d5 (17 %).
7…e6: You support the knight; Stockfish wanted 7...Nb6, attacking the bishop (loss 0.14).
8.O-O: White castles short – Stockfish's first choice. White won half of these games.
8…Be7: The bishop comes to e7 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.d4: White occupies the centre – the isolated pawn on d4 is there, as in the Panov Attack.
9…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice. Once again the position with the isolated pawn on d4 arises.
10.Re1: White puts the rook on the e-file (88 %).
10…Bf6: The bishop increases the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Ne4: The knight attacks your bishop on f6. Stockfish names 11.a3 first (loss 0.03).
11…b6: You prepare Bb7 – Stockfish's first choice.
12.a3: 12.a3 takes the square b4 away from your pieces. Stockfish wanted 12.Nxf6+ (loss 0.06).
12…Bb7: The bishop comes to the long diagonal – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Qd3: The queen goes to d3 and connects the rooks.
13…Nce7: Stockfish's move: the knight goes via e7 to f5 and increases the pressure on d4.
14.Bd2: The bishop develops to d2.
14…Rc8: The rook goes to the open c-file against the bishop on c4.
15.Rad1: The rook covers d4.
15…Nf5: The knight attacks d4 – you stand marginally better (eval −0.10).

Line 175: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Be7 9.d4 O-O 10.Re1 Bf6 11.Ne4 b6 12.Nxf6 Nxf6 13.Bg5 Bb7 14.d5 exd5 15.Bb5 Rc8

up to 11…b6 as line 174

12.Nxf6: White trades the knight for your bishop on f6 – with check.
12…Nxf6: Stockfish's move: you recapture with the knight (eval 0).
13.Bg5: The bishop pins your knight on f6.
13…Bb7: The bishop goes to the long diagonal.
14.d5: White sacrifices the pawn on d5 and attacks your knight on c6.
14…exd5: You take on d5 and attack the bishop on c4.
15.Bb5: The bishop steps to b5 and attacks your knight on c6.
15…Rc8: The rook covers the knight on c6. You are a pawn up – level (eval 0).

Line 176: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bc4 e6 8.O-O Be7 9.d4 O-O 10.a3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 b6 12.Bd3 Bb7 13.Re1 Rc8 14.h4 Na5 15.Ng5 Bxg5

up to 9…O-O as line 175

10.a3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.10); it wanted 10.Qe2.
10…Nxc3: Stockfish's move: you exchange on c3 and simplify (eval 0).
11.bxc3: White recaptures with the b-pawn; c3 now supports d4.
11…b6: 11...b6 prepares the bishop on b7.
12.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 and aims at h7.
12…Bb7: The bishop goes to the long diagonal.
13.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
13…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file against c3.
14.h4: 14.h4 prepares an attack on the kingside.
14…Na5: The knight goes to a5 and on to c4.
15.Ng5: The knight jumps to g5 and aims at h7.
15…Bxg5: You trade off the dangerous knight. Level (eval 0).

Line 177: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.d4 e6 7.Nf3 Bb4

up to 5…Nxd5 as line 176

6.d4: White supports the centre (11 %).
6…e6: You support the knight on d5; Stockfish names 6...Nxc3 first (loss 0.08).
7.Nf3: White develops the knight. Stockfish names 7.Bd3 first (loss 0.06). White won 48 % of these games.
7…Bb4: Transposition to the main line of the Panov Attack with Bb4 and Nxd5 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 178: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.d4 e6 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.Re1 Bf6 11.Be4 Nce7 12.Ne5 Bd7 13.Qd3 h6 14.Qg3 Bc6 15.Nxc6 bxc6

up to 6…e6 as line 177

7.Bd3: The bishop goes to d3 – Stockfish's first choice.
7…Nc6: The knight attacks d4; Stockfish names 7...Bd7 (loss 0.00).
8.Nf3: White develops the knight – now the main position of the Panov Attack with the isolated pawn on d4 is on the board.
8…Be7: The bishop comes to e7, then you castle – Stockfish's first choice.
9.O-O: White castles short – the main move with 522 games.
9…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice. A typical position with the isolated pawn on d4.
10.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file – the most frequent continuation (539 games). Level (eval 0).
10…Bf6: The bishop increases the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Be4: White attacks the knight on d5 (92 %).
11…Nce7: The knight goes to e7 and covers d5 once more. Stockfish wanted 11...Bd7 (loss 0.03).
12.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5, a strong outpost in front of the isolated pawn – Stockfish's first choice.
12…Bd7: The bishop comes to d7 and can go to c6 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Qd3: The queen goes to d3 and, together with the bishop on e4, aims at h7. Stockfish names 13.Qh5 first, equally good.
13…h6: Stockfish's move: you give your king air and prevent Bg5 (eval 0).
14.Qg3: The queen goes to g3 and eyes g7.
14…Bc6: The bishop goes to c6 and covers the knight on d5.
15.Nxc6: White trades the knight for your bishop.
15…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn; your knight on d5 stays firmly protected. Level (eval 0).

Line 179: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.d4 e6 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.Re1 Bf6 11.Be4 Nce7 12.Qd3 h6 13.Ne5 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Nf5 15.Be3 Nxe3

up to 11…Nce7 as line 178

12.Qd3: The queen goes to d3 and forms a battery against h7 with the bishop on e4. Stockfish names 12.Ne5 first (loss 0.03).
12…h6: You give your king air and prevent Bg5 – Stockfish's first choice.
13.Ne5: The knight jumps into the centre (54 %).
13…Nxc3: You exchange on c3 and simplify – Stockfish's first choice.
14.Qxc3: The queen recaptures and looks down the open c-file at your bishop on c8.
14…Nf5: The knight goes to f5 and increases the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
15.Be3: White covers d4 with the bishop – you trade it off at once with 15...Nxe3.
15…Nxe3: Stockfish's move: you win the bishop pair (eval 0.04).

Line 180: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.d4 e6 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.Re1 Bf6 11.Be4 Nce7 12.Qc2 h6 13.Ne5 Nc6 14.Bxd5 exd5 15.Nxc6 bxc6

up to 11…Nce7 as line 179

12.Qc2: Queen and bishop aim at h7 together; inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.12).
12…h6: You make luft and defuse the attack on h7 – Stockfish's first choice. Black won half of these games.
13.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 – Stockfish's first choice.
13…Nc6: The knight returns to c6 and attacks the knight on e5.
14.Bxd5: White trades the bishop for your knight on d5.
14…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
15.Nxc6: White trades the knights.
15…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn. Level (eval 0).

Line 181: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.d4 e6 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.a3 Bf6 11.Be4 Nce7 12.Re1 Bd7 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Bb1 Re8 15.Bg5 Bxg5

up to 9…O-O as line 180

10.a3: White stops a knight from coming to b4 (11 %).
10…Bf6: The bishop increases the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Be4: The bishop attacks your knight on d5. Stockfish names 11.Re1 first (loss 0.09).
11…Nce7: The knight goes to e7 and covers d5 once more – Stockfish's first choice.
12.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
12…Bd7: The bishop develops to d7.
13.Nxd5: White trades on d5.
13…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn and attack the bishop on e4.
14.Bb1: The bishop steps to b1 and stays on the diagonal against h7.
14…Re8: The rook goes to the open e-file.
15.Bg5: White offers the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
15…Bxg5: You trade the bishops. Both sides have an isolated d-pawn – level (eval 0.03).

Line 182: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.d4 e6 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nf3 Be7 9.O-O O-O 10.a3 Bf6 11.Bc2 Nce7 12.Re1 Bd7 13.Ne5 Bc6 14.Qd3 g6 15.Ne4 Bg7

up to 10…Bf6 as line 181

11.Bc2: For Stockfish as good as 11.Re1; still, Black won 54 % of these games.
11…Nce7: Stockfish's move: the knight goes to e7 and covers d5 once more.
12.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
12…Bd7: The bishop develops to d7.
13.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 and attacks your bishop on d7.
13…Bc6: The bishop steps to c6 and covers d5.
14.Qd3: The queen goes to d3 and, with the bishop on c2, aims at h7.
14…g6: 14...g6 closes the diagonal against h7.
15.Ne4: The knight attacks your bishop on f6.
15…Bg7: The bishop steps to g7. Level (eval 0).

Line 183: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nxd5 6.Bc4 Nb6 7.Bb3 Nc6 8.Nf3 Bf5 9.d4 e6 10.O-O Be7 11.Be3 O-O 12.Ne5 Na5 13.g4 Bg6 14.f4 Nxb3 15.Qxb3 Bf6

up to 5…Nxd5 as line 182

6.Bc4: White attacks the knight on d5 (7 %).
6…Nb6: The knight steps away and attacks the bishop on c4 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Bb3: The bishop steps to b3 – Stockfish's first choice.
7…Nc6: The knight develops and watches d4 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Nf3: White develops the knight.
8…Bf5: The bishop gets outside the pawn chain – almost equal to Stockfish's choice (loss 0.07).
9.d4: White occupies the centre; the pawn on d4 is isolated.
9…e6: You support d5 and open the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.O-O: White castles short.
10…Be7: The bishop comes to e7, then you castle – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Be3: The bishop covers d4. Stockfish wanted 11.d5 at once (loss 0.09).
11…O-O: You castle – level (eval −0.05).
12.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 and attacks your knight on c6.
12…Na5: The knight attacks the bishop on b3.
13.g4: White attacks your bishop on f5.
13…Bg6: The bishop steps to g6.
14.f4: White supports the knight on e5 and threatens to attack your bishop with f4–f5.
14…Nxb3: You take the bishop on b3.
15.Qxb3: The queen recaptures and attacks your knight on b6.
15…Bf6: The bishop attacks the knight on e5. White's kingside pawns are loosened – you stand slightly better (eval −0.13).

Line 184: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a6 7.Qa4 Rb8 8.Bxd7 Qxd7 9.Qxd7 Bxd7 10.d4 Bf5 11.Bg5 Ne4 12.Bf4 Rd8 13.Nge2 Nf6 14.Rc1 Nxd5 15.Nxd5 Rxd5

up to 4…Nf6 as line 183

5.Bb5: Check! White tries to hold on to the pawn on d5 (27 %).
5…Nbd7: You block with the knight – Stockfish's first choice. You win back the pawn on d5 later.
6.Nc3: White protects the pawn on d5 – Stockfish's first choice. For now White is a pawn up; you usually win it back on d5.
6…a6: You question the bishop on b5 – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Qa4: The queen covers the bishop on b5 and strengthens the pin on the knight on d7 (59 %).
7…Rb8: A quiet rook move; Stockfish names 7...g6 (loss 0.08).
8.Bxd7: White exchanges on d7 (97 %).
8…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen; Stockfish names 8...Bxd7 (loss 0.00).
9.Qxd7: White trades queens (55 %).
9…Bxd7: You recapture – level (eval 0).
10.d4: White occupies the centre and, in the endgame without queens, still holds on to the pawn on d5. 83 % of these games were drawn.
10…Bf5: Stockfish's move: the bishop comes actively to f5 (eval 0).
11.Bg5: The bishop attacks your knight on f6, which is besieging the pawn on d5.
11…Ne4: The knight steps to e4 and attacks the bishop on g5 and the knight on c3.
12.Bf4: The bishop retreats to f4 and attacks your rook on b8.
12…Rd8: The rook steps to d8 and at the same time attacks the pawn on d5.
13.Nge2: White develops the last knight and covers c3.
13…Nf6: The knight goes back to f6 and attacks d5 a second time – only the knight on c3 covers it.
14.Rc1: The rook goes to the open c-file – White gives back the pawn on d5 and looks for play on the c-file.
14…Nxd5: You take the pawn on d5 – material is level again.
15.Nxd5: White trades the knights.
15…Rxd5: You recapture with the rook; it stands strongly in the centre. Level (eval −0.02).

Line 185: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a6 7.Qa4 Rb8 8.Bxd7 Qxd7 9.Qxd7 Bxd7 10.Nge2 Rd8 11.d4 Bf5 12.Be3 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Rxd5 14.Nc3 Rd8 15.O-O e6

up to 9…Bxd7 as line 184

10.Nge2: The knight develops to e2. Stockfish names 10.d4 first (loss 0.06).
10…Rd8: Stockfish's move: the rook comes to the d-file; after Bf5 it aims at the pawn on d5 (eval −0.04).
11.d4: White occupies the centre.
11…Bf5: The bishop develops to f5.
12.Be3: The bishop develops to e3.
12…Nxd5: You take the pawn on d5 – material is level again.
13.Nxd5: White trades the knights.
13…Rxd5: The rook recaptures.
14.Nc3: The knight attacks your rook on d5.
14…Rd8: The rook retreats to d8 and presses on d4.
15.O-O: White castles.
15…e6: 15...e6 opens the bishop on f8. Level (eval −0.10).

Line 186: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a6 7.Qa4 Rb8 8.Bxd7 Qxd7 9.Qf4 Ra8 10.Nf3 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.O-O Bd7 13.d3 Bc6 14.Qg3 f6 15.Be3 Kf7

up to 8…Qxd7 as line 185

9.Qf4: White avoids the queen trade. Stockfish would have traded with 9.Qxd7, but the difference is small (loss 0.07).
9…Ra8: The rook returns to a8 because the queen on f4 attacks the rook on b8 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Nf3: White develops the knight. Stockfish wanted 10.Qd4 (loss 0.20) – now you win back the pawn on d5.
10…Nxd5: You win back the pawn on d5 – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Nxd5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.18): the trade brings your queen to the centre.
11…Qxd5: Your queen stands centrally; Black is better (eval −0.42).
12.O-O: White castles. You have the bishop pair and stand slightly better (eval −0.33). Black won half of these games.
12…Bd7: Stockfish's move: you develop the bishop. Black won half of these games.
13.d3: 13.d3 opens the bishop on c1.
13…Bc6: The bishop goes to the long diagonal and presses on f3 and g2.
14.Qg3: The queen goes to g3 and eyes g7.
14…f6: 14...f6 secures e5 and g5 and makes room for the king on f7.
15.Be3: The bishop develops to e3.
15…Kf7: The king goes to f7 and connects the rooks – it is safe enough there. You stand slightly better (eval −0.34).

Line 187: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a6 7.Qa4 Rb8 8.Bxd7 Qxd7 9.Qb3 Qg4 10.Nge2 Qxg2 11.Rg1 Qxh2 12.d3 Nh5 13.Be3 g6 14.O-O-O Qc7 15.Ng3 Nxg3

up to 8…Qxd7 as line 186

9.Qb3: A mistake (loss 0.33): now your queen comes with 9...Qg4 against g2.
9…Qg4: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on g2. After 10.Kf1 White loses the right to castle (eval −0.34).
10.Nge2: The knight develops to e2 and leaves g2 undefended.
10…Qxg2: You take the pawn on g2 and attack the rook on h1.
11.Rg1: The rook steps to g1 and attacks your queen.
11…Qxh2: You take the pawn on h2 as well – now you are a pawn up.
12.d3: 12.d3 opens the bishop on c1.
12…Nh5: The knight goes to h5 and eyes f4 and g3.
13.Be3: The bishop develops to e3.
13…g6: 13...g6 prepares the bishop on g7.
14.O-O-O: White castles long.
14…Qc7: The queen returns to c7.
15.Ng3: The knight attacks your knight on h5.
15…Nxg3: You trade the knights. You are a pawn up and stand slightly better (eval −0.15).

Line 188: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a6 7.Be2 Nb6 8.Nf3 Nbxd5 9.d4 g6 10.O-O Bg7 11.Ne5 Be6 12.Bf3 O-O 13.Na4 b6 14.Bd2 Qd6 15.Qe2 Rac8

up to 6…a6 as line 187

7.Be2: White retreats the bishop (20 %).
7…Nb6: The knight attacks the pawn on d5 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Nf3: White develops the knight. Stockfish names 8.d4 first, equally good.
8…Nbxd5: You win the pawn back; Stockfish names 8...g6 (loss 0.00).
9.d4: White occupies the centre; the pawn on d4 is isolated.
9…g6: You prepare the bishop on g7 – from there it presses on d4.
10.O-O: White castles.
10…Bg7: The bishop goes to g7 and aims at d4.
11.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 – a strong outpost.
11…Be6: The bishop develops to e6 and covers d5.
12.Bf3: The bishop attacks your knight on d5.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Na4: The knight goes to a4 and eyes c5.
13…b6: 13...b6 takes the square c5 away from the knight.
14.Bd2: The bishop develops to d2.
14…Qd6: The queen goes to d6 and attacks the knight on e5.
15.Qe2: The queen connects the rooks.
15…Rac8: The rook goes to the open c-file. Level (eval 0).

Line 189: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a6 7.Be2 Nb6 8.d4 Nbxd5 9.Nf3

up to 7…Nb6 as line 188

8.d4: White occupies the centre – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Nbxd5: You win back the pawn on d5. Stockfish names 8...g6 first, equally good.
9.Nf3: White develops the knight. Transposition: this position also arises by another move order – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 190: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a6 7.Bxd7 Qxd7 8.Nf3 Nxd5 9.O-O e6 10.Ne5 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 12.d4 Bd6 13.Ba3 Bxa3 14.Qa4 b5 15.Qxa3 Bb7

up to 6…a6 as line 189

7.Bxd7: White exchanges on d7 at once (14 %).
7…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Nf3: White develops the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
8…Nxd5: You win back the pawn on d5 – Stockfish's first choice.
9.O-O: White castles; you have already won back the pawn on d5.
9…e6: You open the bishop on f8; Stockfish wanted 9...f6 (loss 0). Black lost none of these games.
10.Ne5: The knight attacks your queen on d7.
10…Nxc3: You trade the knights.
11.bxc3: White recaptures with the b-pawn.
11…Qc7: The queen steps away and attacks the knight on e5.
12.d4: White covers the knight on e5.
12…Bd6: The bishop attacks the knight on e5 a second time.
13.Ba3: White offers the trade of bishops.
13…Bxa3: You take the bishop on a3.
14.Qa4: The queen gives check and at the same time attacks your bishop on a3.
14…b5: 14...b5 blocks the check with tempo.
15.Qxa3: The queen takes back the bishop.
15…Bb7: The bishop goes to the long diagonal. Level (eval −0.02).

Line 191: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Bb5 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a6 7.Bxd7 Qxd7 8.Qb3 Qg4 9.Kf1 e5 10.Nf3 Bd6 11.Qb6 Bb8 12.d4 Nd7 13.Qb3 O-O 14.Be3 b5 15.h3 Qf5

up to 7…Qxd7 as line 190

8.Qb3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.18); it wanted 8.Nf3.
8…Qg4: Stockfish's move: the queen attacks the pawn on g2; after 9.Kf1 White can no longer castle (eval −0.27).
9.Kf1: The king covers g2 – White gives up castling.
9…e5: 9...e5 occupies the centre.
10.Nf3: The knight attacks your pawn on e5.
10…Bd6: The bishop covers e5.
11.Qb6: The queen attacks your bishop on d6.
11…Bb8: The bishop retreats to b8.
12.d4: White attacks your pawn on e5.
12…Nd7: The knight attacks the queen on b6 and covers e5.
13.Qb3: The queen retreats to b3.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.Be3: The bishop develops to e3.
14…b5: 14...b5 gains space on the queenside.
15.h3: The pawn attacks your queen on g4.
15…Qf5: The queen steps to f5. White is still a pawn up, but his king stands on f1 – level (eval 0).

Line 192: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Qa4 Nbd7 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Qb3 O-O 9.Bc4 Nb6 10.d3 Bg4 11.Ne5 Qc7 12.f4 Qc5 13.h3 Bc8 14.Ke2 Qd6 15.Re1 Rd8

up to 4…Nf6 as line 191

5.Qa4: Check with the queen (14 %): White wants to hold on to the pawn on d5. Inaccurate according to Stockfish (loss 0.36).
5…Nbd7: You block with the knight – Stockfish's first choice.
6.Nc3: White protects the pawn on d5. Stockfish names 6.Nf3 first but sees no difference.
6…g6: You put the bishop on the long diagonal – Stockfish's first choice.
7.Nf3: White develops the second knight – Stockfish's first choice.
7…Bg7: The bishop comes to g7 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Qb3: The queen goes to b3 and covers d5 once more. Stockfish wanted 8.Bc4 (loss 0.06).
8…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Bc4: White covers d5 with the bishop (100 %).
9…Nb6: Careful, this is critical: Stockfish wanted the pawn sacrifice 9...b5 (loss 0.31). After the course move White won 73 % of the games.
10.d3: 10.d3 opens the bishop on c1 and covers the bishop on c4.
10…Bg4: The bishop attacks the knight on f3 – Stockfish's first choice.
11.Ne5: The knight jumps to e5 and attacks your bishop on g4.
11…Qc7: Stockfish's move: the queen comes to the c-file and eyes c3 and c4.
12.f4: 12.f4 supports the knight on e5. White is a pawn up, but the king is still in the centre.
12…Qc5: The queen attacks the bishop on c4 and eyes g1.
13.h3: White attacks your bishop on g4.
13…Bc8: The bishop retreats to c8.
14.Ke2: White may not castle short: your queen on c5 controls g1. So the king goes to e2.
14…Qd6: The queen goes to d6 and attacks the knight on e5.
15.Re1: White brings the rook to e1.
15…Rd8: The rook goes to d8 against the pawn on d5. White is a pawn up, you have play against the king on e2 – level (eval 0.07).

Line 193: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Qa4 Nbd7 6.Nc3 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.Bc4 O-O 9.d3 a6 10.Qa3 Nb6 11.Qb3 Nxc4 12.dxc4 b5 13.O-O bxc4 14.Qxc4 e6 15.dxe6 Bxe6

up to 7…Bg7 as line 192

8.Bc4: White covers d5 with the bishop (45 %).
8…O-O: You castle; Stockfish names 8...a6 (loss 0.10).
9.d3: 9.d3 covers the bishop on c4 – Stockfish's first choice. White is a pawn up; you have play for it.
9…a6: You prepare b5 – Stockfish's first choice.
10.Qa3: The queen goes to a3 and eyes e7 and f8.
10…Nb6: The knight attacks the bishop on c4; Stockfish wanted 10...b6 (loss 0.15).
11.Qb3: The queen covers the bishop on c4 once more.
11…Nxc4: Stockfish's move: you trade off the bishop on c4 (eval 0.02).
12.dxc4: White recaptures with the pawn.
12…b5: 12...b5 attacks c4 – the pawn on d5 is to lose its support.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…bxc4: You take on c4 and attack the queen on b3.
14.Qxc4: The queen recaptures.
14…e6: 14...e6 attacks the pawn on d5.
15.dxe6: White takes on e6.
15…Bxe6: You recapture with the bishop and attack the queen on c4. White is still a pawn up, your pieces are active – level (eval 0).

Line 194: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Qa4 Nbd7 6.Nc3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 O-O 9.Nge2 Nb6 10.Qb3 a5 11.O-O a4 12.Qb5 Bd7 13.Qb4 Bf5 14.Qb5 a3 15.Re1 Nbxd5

up to 6…g6 as line 193

7.g3: White fianchettoes his bishop to g2 (17 %).
7…Bg7: The bishop comes to g7 – Stockfish's first choice.
8.Bg2: The bishop goes to g2 and covers the pawn on d5. You stand slightly better (eval −0.17).
8…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's first choice.
9.Nge2: White develops the knight to e2 – Stockfish's first choice.
9…Nb6: The knight attacks d5; Stockfish wanted 9...b5 (loss 0.00).
10.Qb3: The queen steps to b3 and covers d5.
10…a5: Stockfish's move: the a-pawn wants to chase the queen on b3 with a4.
11.O-O: White castles short.
11…a4: 11...a4 drives the queen away from b3.
12.Qb5: The queen goes to b5.
12…Bd7: The bishop attacks the queen on b5.
13.Qb4: The queen steps to b4.
13…Bf5: The bishop goes to f5. If the queen returns with 14.Qb5, your bishop can go back to d7 – a repetition would be possible.
14.Qb5: The queen returns to b5.
14…a3: Instead of repeating moves you play 14...a3 and attack the queenside.
15.Re1: The rook goes to e1.
15…Nbxd5: You win back the pawn on d5 – material is level (eval −0.03).

Line 195: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Qa4 Nbd7 6.Nc3 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2 O-O 9.d4 Nb6 10.Qb3 Bf5 11.Nge2 Bd3 12.d6 Bc4 13.Qa3 Re8 14.O-O exd6 15.Re1 Nbd5

up to 8…O-O as line 194

9.d4: White occupies the centre (29 %).
9…Nb6: The knight attacks d5 – almost equal to Stockfish's choice (loss 0.13).
10.Qb3: The queen steps to b3 – Stockfish's first choice.
10…Bf5: The bishop comes actively to f5; Stockfish wanted 10...a5 (loss 0.15). Black won half of these games.
11.Nge2: The knight develops to e2.
11…Bd3: The bishop jumps to d3 and attacks the knight on e2.
12.d6: White gives up the pawn on d6 to divert your pieces.
12…Bc4: The bishop attacks the queen on b3.
13.Qa3: The queen steps to a3.
13…Re8: The rook goes to e8.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…exd6: You take the pawn on d6 – material is level again.
15.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
15…Nbd5: The knight jumps to d5 – a strong square. Level (eval 0).

Line 196: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Qa4 Nbd7 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bc4 Bg7 8.d3 O-O 9.Nf3

up to 6…g6 as line 195

7.Bc4: The bishop covers d5. Stockfish names 7.Nf3 first, equally good. Black won 45 % of these games.
7…Bg7: The bishop comes to g7. Stockfish names 7...a6 first but sees hardly any difference (loss 0.04).
8.d3: 8.d3 covers the bishop on c4. Stockfish names 8.Nf3 first, equally good.
8…O-O: You castle; Stockfish names 8...a6 (loss 0.00).
9.Nf3: Transposition: the same position arises after 7.Nf3 7...Bg7 8.Bc4 8...O-O 9.d3 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 197: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.cxd5 Nf6 5.Qa4 Nbd7 6.Nc3 g6 7.g4 Bg7 8.g5 Nh5 9.d4 O-O 10.Nge2 Nb6 11.Qa5 e5 12.dxe6 Bxe6 13.Bg2 Re8 14.Be3 Qd7 15.Qb5 Nc4

up to 6…g6 as line 196

7.g4: White storms with the g-pawn (8 %).
7…Bg7: Stockfish's move: you calmly develop the bishop (eval −0.17).
8.g5: The pawn attacks your knight on f6.
8…Nh5: The knight steps to the edge, to h5.
9.d4: White occupies the centre.
9…O-O: You castle.
10.Nge2: The knight develops to e2.
10…Nb6: The knight attacks the queen on a4.
11.Qa5: The queen steps to a5.
11…e5: 11...e5 attacks the centre.
12.dxe6: White captures en passant on e6.
12…Bxe6: You recapture with the bishop – it stands actively.
13.Bg2: The bishop goes to the long diagonal.
13…Re8: The rook goes to the open e-file.
14.Be3: The bishop develops to e3.
14…Qd7: The queen goes to d7.
15.Qb5: The queen attacks your queen on d7 and offers a trade.
15…Nc4: The knight attacks the bishop on e3. White is a pawn up, yet you stand slightly better (eval −0.11).

Line 198: 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4

up to 3…cxd5 as line 197

4.d4: Transposition to the Panov Attack after 2.d4 2...d5 3.exd5 3...cxd5 4.c4 – the course continues there. (transposition)

Line 199: 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.exd5

up to 2…d5 as line 198

3.cxd5: White exchanges with the c-pawn first (36 %).
3…cxd5: You recapture – Stockfish's first choice.
4.exd5: Transposition: the same position as after 3.exd5 3...cxd5 4.cxd5 – the course continues there. (transposition)