The Slav Defense for Black – the whole course to read – Learning studio

Starting position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6

The Slav Defense arises after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6: you support d5 with the c-pawn instead of e6 – so the road of your bishop on c8 stays open. The plan is simple and sound: first Nf6, then – often after dxc4 – the bishop to f5, and only then e6. White has three main roads: the main line with 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3, where you take the pawn with 4...dxc4 and after 5.a4 play the Czech Variation with 5...Bf5; the quiet 4.e3 (the Slow Slav), against which you also set up Bf5 and e6; and the exchange 3.cxd5, after which you play symmetrically with Nc6 and Bf5. The course follows the moves of the strongest players and checks every position with Stockfish.

The ideas

First the bishop, then e6: your bishop on c8 goes to f5 (or g4) before the e-pawn blocks its way – that is the difference to the Queen's Gambit Declined.
After dxc4 you do not keep the pawn at any price. White usually wins it back with the bishop; in return you gain time for Bf5, e6 and Bb4.
The bishop on b4 pins the knight on c3 and keeps an eye on e4 – together with the bishop on f5 it slows down White's advance e3–e4.
If White chases your bishop with the knight to h4, step back to g6. If he takes there, recapture with the h-pawn: the doubled pawn is harmless and the h-file opens for your rook.
In the Exchange Slav the position is symmetrical: develop with Nc6, Bf5, e6 and Bd6, trade the dark-squared bishops and put your rooks on the c-file.

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Chapter 1: 3.Nf3

Line 1: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.Bd3 Bh5 12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Qe3 Be7 15.Ng5 Bxg5 16.Qxg5 Bg6 17.Be2 Nb8

3.Nf3: The knight develops and covers d4 – the most common move. You answer with Nf6.
3…Nf6: The knight goes to f6 and covers d5. Now White chooses between Nc3, e3 and the exchange on d5.
4.Nc3: The main line: White develops the second knight and increases the pressure on d5. With dxc4 you take the pawn.
4…dxc4: You take on c4. White cannot win the pawn back at once – first he stops your advance …b5 with a2–a4.
5.a4: White stops …b5, with which you would hold on to the pawn on c4. Now your bishop goes to f5.
5…Bf5: The Czech Variation: the bishop comes into play before e6 and controls e4.
6.e3: White prepares Bxc4. You play e6 – now that your bishop is out.
6…e6: The e-pawn opens the way for your bishop on f8. White wins back the pawn on c4.
7.Bxc4: The pawn is back. With Bb4 you pin the knight on c3 and control e4.
7…Bb4: The bishop pins the knight and slows down e3–e4 – the heart of the Czech Variation.
8.O-O: White castles. With Nbd7 you keep developing; Stockfish also mentions castling at once.
8…Nbd7: The knight supports e5 and c5 – your breaks for later. You castle soon.
9.Qe2: The queen prepares e3–e4. With Bg6 you bring your bishop to safety.
9…Bg6: The bishop steps aside in advance – after e3–e4 it is not attacked with tempo.
10.e4: White occupies the centre. You castle and keep your pieces ready.
10…O-O: You castle. White puts his bishop against your bishop on g6.
11.Bd3: White offers the bishop trade. With Bh5 you keep the pin on the knight on f3.
11…Bh5: The bishop pins the knight on f3 to the queen – White has to make room with e4–e5.
12.e5: White gains space. Your knight jumps to d5 – a strong square.
12…Nd5: The knight stands strongly on d5. White usually trades it.
13.Nxd5: White trades. You recapture with the c-pawn and open the c-file.
13…cxd5: The c-file is open for your rooks – your counterplay on the queenside.
14.Qe3: The queen aims at the kingside. With Be7 you bring the bishop back to defend.
14…Be7: The bishop covers the kingside. Balanced – your play lies on the c-file.
15.Ng5: The knight eyes h7 and offers itself against your bishop – Stockfish's choice.
15…Bxg5: You trade the bishop for the knight.
16.Qxg5: White recaptures with the queen and attacks the bishop on h5.
16…Bg6: The bishop faces the bishop on d3 – Stockfish's choice.
17.Be2: White avoids the bishop trade.
17…Nb8: The knight reroutes via b8 to c6, where it stands better. White has a little more space, Black stands firm.

Line 2: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.Bd3 Bh5 12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Qe3 Be7 15.Bd2 Nb8

up to 14…Be7 as line 1

15.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Ng5.
15…Nb8: The knight reroutes via b8 to c6 – Stockfish's choice. White has a little more space.

Line 3: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.Bd3 Bh5 12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Qe3 Be7 15.Ne1 Bg6

up to 14…Be7 as line 2

15.Ne1: The knight retreats; Stockfish prefers Ng5.
15…Bg6: The bishop offers the trade – Stockfish's choice. White is a little better.

Line 4: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.Bd3 Bh5 12.e5 Nd5 13.Ne4 Be7 14.Ng3 Bg6 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Ne4 c5

up to 12…Nd5 as line 3

13.Ne4: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – White avoids the trade. Your knight on d5 stays strong.
13…Be7: The bishop retreats to e7; according to Stockfish the lever c5 is just as good.
14.Ng3: The knight attacks the bishop on h5 – Stockfish's choice.
14…Bg6: You offer the bishop trade; Bxf3 is just as good.
15.Bxg6: White trades the bishops.
15…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file – Stockfish's choice.
16.Ne4: The knight returns to the centre; Stockfish prefers h4.
16…c5: With the lever you attack White's centre – Stockfish's choice. The position is level.

Line 5: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.Bd3 Bh5 12.Bf4 Re8 13.e5 Nd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.h3 a6 16.Rfc1 Nb8 17.g4 Bg6

up to 11…Bh5 as line 4

12.Bf4: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With Re8 you prepare …e5.
12…Re8: The rook supports the break …e5. Stockfish slightly prefers Rc8.
13.e5: White prevents …e5. Your knight jumps to d5.
13…Nd5: The knight attacks the bishop on f4 and stands strongly in the centre.
14.Nxd5: White trades. You recapture with the c-pawn.
14…cxd5: The c-file is open – your rooks go to c8.
15.h3: White makes luft for the king and prepares g2–g4 – Stockfish's choice.
15…a6: You take b5 away from the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qe7.
16.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file; Stockfish prefers g4.
16…Nb8: The knight reroutes via b8 to c6; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nf8.
17.g4: White attacks the bishop on h5.
17…Bg6: The bishop offers the trade. White has a little more space.

Line 6: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.Bd3 Bh5 12.Bf4 Re8 13.e5 Nd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Qe3 a6

up to 14…cxd5 as line 5

15.Qe3: The queen stands actively on e3; Stockfish prefers h3.
15…a6: You take b5 away from the bishop – Stockfish's choice. White has a little more space.

Line 7: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.e5 Nd5 12.Ne4 Be7 13.a5 a6 14.Rd1 Rc8 15.Bd2 Re8

up to 10…O-O as line 6

11.e5: White advances at once. Your knight jumps to d5.
11…Nd5: The knight occupies d5. White puts his bishop against your bishop on g6.
12.Ne4: The knight aims at d6; according to Stockfish inaccurate – Bd3 was better. Now Black is a little more comfortable.
12…Be7: The bishop retreats and covers d6; Stockfish prefers h6.
13.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
13…a6: You stop the pawn on a5.
14.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4.
14…Rc8: The rook prepares the lever c6–c5.
15.Bd2: White develops the last bishop.
15…Re8: The rook goes to e8 and frees f8 for the bishop. The position is level.

Line 8: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.e5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Bd3 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 h6 15.Ne1 Qb6

up to 11…Nd5 as line 7

12.Nxd5: White trades the knights; Stockfish prefers Bd3.
12…cxd5: You recapture with the c-pawn and attack the bishop on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
13.Bd3: The bishop offers the trade.
13…Bxd3: You trade the bishops.
14.Qxd3: White recaptures with the queen.
14…h6: You make luft for your king.
15.Ne1: The knight heads for d3.
15…Qb6: The queen attacks d4 and b2. The position is level.

Line 9: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 O-O 11.e5 Nd5 12.Bd2 Qa5 13.Rfc1 Ne7 14.Be3 Nf5 15.Bd3 Qd8

up to 11…Nd5 as line 8

12.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers Bd3.
12…Qa5: The queen pins the knight on c3; Stockfish prefers Bh5.
13.Rfc1: The rook covers c3; Stockfish prefers Bd3.
13…Ne7: The knight heads for f5.
14.Be3: White puts the bishop in front of the pawn on d4.
14…Nf5: The knight attacks the bishop on e3.
15.Bd3: The bishop confronts the knight on f5.
15…Qd8: The queen retreats. The position is level.

Line 10: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.Rd1 O-O 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.f4 Qe7 14.Na2 Nb6 15.Nxb4 Qxb4

up to 9…Bg6 as line 9

10.Rd1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – the rook supports e3–e4 only later. You castle.
10…O-O: You castle. Your position is sound and balanced.
11.Ne5: The knight attacks the bishop on g6; according to Stockfish a mistake – h3 was better. Now Black is a little better.
11…Nxe5: You trade the knight – Stockfish's choice.
12.dxe5: White recaptures and attacks the knight on f6.
12…Nd7: The knight steps aside and attacks the pawn on e5.
13.f4: White covers e5; Stockfish prefers e4.
13…Qe7: The queen develops and connects the rooks.
14.Na2: The knight attacks the bishop on b4; Stockfish prefers Bd2.
14…Nb6: You attack the bishop on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
15.Nxb4: White takes the bishop.
15…Qxb4: You recapture and attack the bishop on c4. Black is a little better.

Line 11: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.Rd1 O-O 11.Bd2 Qe7 12.a5 b5 13.axb6 axb6 14.Rxa8 Rxa8 15.h3 b5

up to 10…O-O as line 10

11.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers h3.
11…Qe7: The queen connects the rooks; Stockfish narrowly prefers a5.
12.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
12…b5: You attack the bishop on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
13.axb6: White takes en passant.
13…axb6: You recapture and open the a-file.
14.Rxa8: White trades the rooks.
14…Rxa8: You recapture.
15.h3: White makes luft.
15…b5: You drive the bishop away from c4. The position is level.

Line 12: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.Rd1 O-O 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Qe7 13.a5 c5 14.Bd2 cxd4 15.Qxd4 Rfd8

up to 10…O-O as line 11

11.Bd3: White offers the bishop trade; Stockfish prefers h3.
11…Bxd3: You trade the bishops – Stockfish's choice.
12.Qxd3: White recaptures.
12…Qe7: The queen connects the rooks.
13.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
13…c5: You attack the centre.
14.Bd2: White develops the bishop.
14…cxd4: You take on d4.
15.Qxd4: White recaptures with the queen.
15…Rfd8: The rook confronts the queen. The position is level.

Line 13: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd7 12.f4 h5 13.h3 h4 14.a5 Bxa5 15.Qg4 Nc5

up to 9…Bg6 as line 12

10.Ne5: The knight attacks the bishop on g6; according to Stockfish a mistake – e4 was better. Now Black is a little better.
10…Nxe5: You trade the knight.
11.dxe5: White recaptures and attacks the knight on f6.
11…Nd7: The knight steps aside and attacks e5; Bh5 is just as good.
12.f4: White covers e5.
12…h5: You gain space on the kingside.
13.h3: White stops the h-pawn.
13…h4: You fix the pawn on h4.
14.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
14…Bxa5: You take the pawn on a5.
15.Qg4: The queen attacks the bishop on g6.
15…Nc5: The knight finds a strong square; White has play for the pawn. The position is level.

Line 14: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.Qb3 a5 11.g3 Qb6 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Rd1 O-O 14.h4 Rac8 15.Be2 c5

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 13

9.Nh4: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – the knight hunts your bishop. With Bg6 you step aside.
9…Bg6: The bishop steps aside. If White takes on g6, hxg6 opens your h-file.
10.Qb3: The queen attacks b7. With a5 you secure your bishop on b4.
10…a5: The pawn supports the bishop on b4. Your position is solid.
11.g3: White supports the knight on h4; Stockfish prefers Be2.
11…Qb6: You offer the queen trade; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bh5.
12.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
12…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file.
13.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4.
13…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
14.h4: White gains space on the kingside.
14…Rac8: The rook prepares the lever c6–c5.
15.Be2: The bishop retreats.
15…c5: You attack the centre – Stockfish's choice. The position is level.

Line 15: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.h3 O-O 12.Qc2 Rc8 13.Rd1 Qe7 14.Be2 Rfd8 15.a5 e5

up to 9…Bg6 as line 14

10.Nxg6: White takes the bishop and gains the bishop pair – Stockfish's choice.
10…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file for your rook – Stockfish's choice.
11.h3: White takes g4 away from your knight; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qc2.
11…O-O: You castle; according to Stockfish a5 is just as good.
12.Qc2: The queen controls e4. Balanced – you can break in the centre with …e5 or …c5.
12…Rc8: The rook goes to c8 and supports the lever c6–c5; Qe7 is just as good.
13.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4.
13…Qe7: The queen connects the rooks – Stockfish's choice.
14.Be2: The bishop retreats and frees c4 for the queen.
14…Rfd8: The second rook goes to the d-file.
15.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
15…e5: You strike in the centre – Stockfish's choice. The position is level.

Line 16: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.h3 O-O 12.Qb3 Qb6 13.Rd1 Rac8 14.Be2 Rfd8 15.Na2 Be7

up to 11…O-O as line 15

12.Qb3: The queen attacks b7 – Stockfish's choice.
12…Qb6: You offer the queen trade.
13.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4.
13…Rac8: The rook goes to the c-file.
14.Be2: The bishop retreats.
14…Rfd8: The second rook goes to the d-file.
15.Na2: The knight attacks the bishop on b4.
15…Be7: The bishop retreats. White is a little better.

Line 17: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Be2 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 O-O 13.Nf3 Qa5 14.e4 c5 15.d5 exd5

up to 9…Bg6 as line 16

10.h3: White makes luft; Stockfish prefers Nxg6.
10…Bh5: The bishop attacks the queen; according to Stockfish a5 is just as good.
11.Be2: White faces the bishop on h5.
11…Bxe2: You trade the bishops.
12.Qxe2: White recaptures with the queen.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Nf3: The knight returns to the centre.
13…Qa5: The queen strengthens the pin on the knight c3.
14.e4: White occupies the centre.
14…c5: You attack d4 – Stockfish's choice.
15.d5: White pushes on.
15…exd5: You take on d5. The position is level.

Line 18: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.Be2 a5 11.Qb3 Qc7 12.Rd1 e5 13.Bd2 O-O 14.Rac1 Nb6 15.Nxg6 hxg6

up to 9…Bg6 as line 17

10.Be2: The bishop retreats; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nxg6.
10…a5: You support the bishop on b4 – Stockfish's choice.
11.Qb3: The queen attacks the bishop on b4 and b7.
11…Qc7: The queen covers b7.
12.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4.
12…e5: You strike in the centre.
13.Bd2: White develops the bishop.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.Rac1: The second rook comes into play.
14…Nb6: The knight aims at d5 and c4.
15.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
15…hxg6: You recapture. The position is level.

Line 19: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.g3 a5 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qc2 Qe7 13.e4 e5 14.d5 Nb6 15.Bb3 cxd5

up to 9…Bg6 as line 18

10.g3: White supports the knight on h4; Stockfish prefers Nxg6.
10…a5: You support the bishop on b4 – Stockfish's choice.
11.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
11…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file.
12.Qc2: The queen develops.
12…Qe7: The queen connects the rooks.
13.e4: White occupies the centre.
13…e5: You strike back in the centre.
14.d5: White pushes on.
14…Nb6: You attack the bishop on c4.
15.Bb3: The bishop retreats.
15…cxd5: You take on d5. The position is level.

Line 20: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.f3 Qe7 11.Qe2 e5 12.d5 cxd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.Bxd5 Rb8

up to 9…Bg6 as line 19

10.f3: White prepares e3–e4; Stockfish prefers Nxg6.
10…Qe7: The queen connects the rooks – Stockfish's choice.
11.Qe2: The queen develops.
11…e5: You strike in the centre.
12.d5: White pushes on.
12…cxd5: You take on d5.
13.Nxd5: White recaptures with the knight.
13…Nxd5: You trade the knights.
14.Nxg6: An in-between move: White takes the bishop on g6.
14…hxg6: You recapture.
15.Bxd5: White takes the knight on d5.
15…Rb8: The rook covers b7. The position is level.

Line 21: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qb3 a5 10.Na2 Be7 11.Nh4 Be4 12.Nc3 Bd5 13.Bxd5 Nxd5 14.Nf3 Qb6 15.Qc4 O-O

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 20

9.Qb3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – the queen attacks b7. With a5 you cover your bishop on b4.
9…a5: The pawn supports the bishop on b4. If White takes on b7, his queen gets cut off.
10.Na2: The knight attacks the bishop on b4. With Be7 you pull it back.
10…Be7: The bishop is safe. If White takes on b7, you chase his queen with the rook to b8.
11.Nh4: The knight attacks the bishop on f5 and wants the bishop pair. According to Stockfish Nc3 is just as good.
11…Be4: The bishop steps aside to e4 and stays active. Stockfish narrowly prefers Bg4.
12.Nc3: The knight comes back and attacks the bishop on e4 – Stockfish's choice.
12…Bd5: You put bishop against bishop and offer the trade on d5 – Stockfish's choice.
13.Bxd5: White trades the bishops.
13…Nxd5: You recapture with the knight; it stands in the centre and attacks the knight on c3.
14.Nf3: The knight returns from the rim into play.
14…Qb6: The queen faces the queen on b3 and offers the trade.
15.Qc4: White avoids the queen trade and attacks the knight on d5.
15…O-O: You castle; the knight on d5 is covered by the pawn on e6. The position is level.

Line 22: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qb3 a5 10.Na2 Be7 11.Qxb7 Rb8 12.Qa6 Ra8 13.Qb7 Rb8

up to 10…Be7 as line 21

11.Qxb7: White takes the pawn on b7; Nc3 is just as good.
11…Rb8: The rook attacks the queen – Stockfish's choice.
12.Qa6: The queen steps aside.
12…Ra8: The rook attacks the queen again.
13.Qb7: The queen returns to b7.
13…Rb8: You attack the queen again – White hardly gets out of the repetition. The position has been on the board before; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 23: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Qb3 a5 10.Nh4 Bg6

up to 9…a5 as line 22

10.Nh4: The knight attacks the bishop on f5; Stockfish prefers Bd2.
10…Bg6: The bishop steps aside to g6; Stockfish prefers castling O-O. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 24: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 f6 12.O-O Rd8 13.Qc1 Be6 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.a5 a6

up to 5…Bf5 as line 23

6.Ne5: The Krause Attack: the knight goes to e5 to win the pawn on c4 and make …e6 harder. With Nbd7 you question it.
6…Nbd7: You attack the knight on e5. White wins back the pawn on c4 with the knight.
7.Nxc4: The pawn is back. With Qc7 you prepare the break e5.
7…Qc7: The queen supports …e5 – your most important plan against the Krause Attack.
8.g3: White fianchettoes. Now e5 comes.
8…e5: The break in the centre – you free your position.
9.dxe5: White exchanges. You recapture with the knight.
9…Nxe5: The knight stands centrally on e5. White pins it with Bf4.
10.Bf4: The bishop pins the knight on e5 to your queen. With Nfd7 you cover it.
10…Nfd7: The second knight covers e5. Stockfish mentions …g5 against the bishop as a sharp plan.
11.Bg2: The bishop goes to g2. With f6 you secure e5.
11…f6: The pawn supports the knight on e5 and blocks the diagonal of the bishop on g2. Stockfish prefers the sharper …g5.
12.O-O: White castles. With …g5 you gain space on the kingside.
12…Rd8: The rook goes to the d-file; according to Stockfish inaccurate – g5 was better. White is better.
13.Qc1: The queen covers the bishop on f4.
13…Be6: The bishop attacks the knight on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
14.Nxe5: White trades on e5; Stockfish prefers Ne4.
14…Nxe5: You recapture with the knight.
15.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
15…a6: You stop the pawn on a5. White is a little better.

Line 25: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 f6 12.O-O Rd8 13.Qc1 Be6 14.Ne4 Be7 15.Rd1 O-O

up to 13…Be6 as line 24

14.Ne4: The knight occupies e4 – Stockfish's choice. White is better.
14…Be7: You develop the bishop; Bb4 is just as good.
15.Rd1: The rook attacks along the d-file.
15…O-O: You castle. White is better.

Line 26: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 f6 12.O-O g5 13.Nxe5 gxf4 14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.a5 fxg3

up to 12.O-O as line 25

12…g5: You drive the bishop away from f4 – Stockfish's choice.
13.Nxe5: White takes the knight on e5.
13…gxf4: An in-between move: you take the bishop on f4.
14.Nxd7: White takes the knight on d7.
14…Qxd7: You recapture; the queens face each other on the d-file.
15.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
15…fxg3: You trade on g3. Your king is a little exposed; White is a little better.

Line 27: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2 f6 12.Nxe5 fxe5 13.Bd2 a5 14.Be4 Be6 15.Qc2 g6

up to 11…f6 as line 26

12.Nxe5: White trades on e5; according to Stockfish inaccurate – O-O was better.
12…fxe5: You recapture with the f-pawn and attack the bishop on f4.
13.Bd2: The bishop retreats.
13…a5: You gain space on the queenside.
14.Be4: The bishop attacks the bishop on f5.
14…Be6: The bishop steps aside.
15.Qc2: The queen attacks h7.
15…g6: You cover h7 and close the diagonal. The position is level.

Line 28: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Qc1 f6 12.Bg2 Be6 13.Nxe5 fxe5 14.Be3 Nc5 15.Qc2 Bb3

up to 10…Nfd7 as line 27

11.Qc1: The queen covers the bishop on f4; Stockfish prefers Bg2.
11…f6: You support the knight on e5 – Stockfish's choice.
12.Bg2: White fianchettoes the bishop.
12…Be6: The bishop attacks the knight on c4; according to Stockfish castling long O-O-O is just as good.
13.Nxe5: White trades on e5.
13…fxe5: You recapture with the f-pawn and attack the bishop on f4.
14.Be3: The bishop steps aside to e3.
14…Nc5: The knight finds a nice square on c5.
15.Qc2: The queen develops.
15…Bb3: The bishop attacks the queen. The position is level.

Line 29: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Qd4 f6 13.a5 Qd6 14.Qa4 Qb4 15.Qxb4 Bxb4

up to 10…Nfd7 as line 28

11.Nxe5: White trades on e5; according to Stockfish inaccurate – Bg2 was better. The position is level.
11…Nxe5: You recapture with the knight – Stockfish's choice.
12.Qd4: The queen attacks the knight on e5; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bg2.
12…f6: You support the knight – Stockfish's choice.
13.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
13…Qd6: The queen faces the queen on d4 and offers the trade.
14.Qa4: The queen steps aside.
14…Qb4: You offer the queen trade again.
15.Qxb4: White trades queens.
15…Bxb4: You recapture with the bishop and pin the knight on c3. The endgame is level.

Line 30: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Bg2 a5 13.O-O Bb4 14.Be4 Bh3 15.Bg2 Bf5

up to 11…Nxe5 as line 29

12.Bg2: White fianchettoes the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
12…a5: You gain space on the queenside.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…Bb4: You develop the bishop actively.
14.Be4: The bishop attacks the bishop on f5.
14…Bh3: The bishop steps aside and attacks the rook on f1.
15.Bg2: The bishop confronts the bishop on h3.
15…Bf5: The bishop returns to f5 – the moves repeat. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 31: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.Bg5 e5 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Ne3 Bg6 11.a5 O-O-O

up to 7…Qc7 as line 30

8.Bg5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With …e5 you free your game.
8…e5: You strike in the centre – Stockfish's choice.
9.Bxf6: White takes the knight on f6; according to Stockfish a mistake – e3 was better. Now Black is better.
9…gxf6: You recapture and have the bishop pair.
10.Ne3: The knight attacks the bishop on f5.
10…Bg6: The bishop retreats.
11.a5: White gains space on the queenside.
11…O-O-O: You castle long and bring the rook to d8. Black is better.

Line 32: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bb4 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Qc2 g6 12.f3 Rc8 13.Kh1 c5 14.Ba2 Re8 15.Nb5 Qb6

up to 5…Bf5 as line 31

6.Nh4: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – the knight hunts your bishop on f5. With e6 you make room for it.
6…e6: You let White trade the bishop. After Nxf5 you recapture with the e-pawn.
7.Nxf5: White takes the bishop. You recapture with the e-pawn and control e4.
7…exf5: The pawn on f5 controls e4 – White hardly gets e3–e4. You keep the pawn on c4 for now.
8.e3: White prepares Bxc4. With Bb4 you pin the knight.
8…Bb4: The bishop pins the knight on c3. White wins back the pawn.
9.Bxc4: The pawn is back. You castle.
9…O-O: You castle. With Nbd7 and Nb6 your knight comes into play.
10.O-O: Both have castled. With Nbd7 you develop.
10…Nbd7: The knight comes via d7 to b6 or f6. Balanced.
11.Qc2: The queen attacks f5. With g6 you cover the pawn.
11…g6: The pawn covers f5. Your pawn on f5 keeps e4 under control.
12.f3: White prepares e3–e4. With Rc8 you put the rook on the c-file.
12…Rc8: The rook prepares …c5. Stockfish also mentions Nb6.
13.Kh1: The king steps off the diagonal a7–g1 – Stockfish's choice.
13…c5: With the lever you attack d4 – Stockfish's choice.
14.Ba2: The bishop retreats; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nb5.
14…Re8: The rook covers e6 and goes to the half-open e-file – Stockfish's choice.
15.Nb5: The knight aims at d6 and c7.
15…Qb6: The queen attacks the knight on b5. The position is level.

Line 33: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bb4 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Qc2 g6 12.f3 Rc8 13.Ba2 c5 14.Kh1

up to 12…Rc8 as line 32

13.Ba2: The bishop retreats; Stockfish narrowly prefers Kh1.
13…c5: You attack the centre – Stockfish's choice.
14.Kh1: The king steps off the diagonal. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 34: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bb4 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Qc2 g6 12.f3 Rc8 13.Qf2 c5 14.Ba2 Qb6 15.Kh1 Rfe8

up to 12…Rc8 as line 33

13.Qf2: The queen leaves the c-file; according to Stockfish inaccurate – Kh1 was better. Now Black is a little better.
13…c5: You attack the centre – Stockfish's choice.
14.Ba2: The bishop retreats.
14…Qb6: The queen presses on d4 and b2.
15.Kh1: The king steps off the diagonal.
15…Rfe8: The rook goes to the e-file. The position is level.

Line 35: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bb4 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Qc2 g6 12.Rd1 Nb6 13.Bb3 a5 14.Bd2 Re8 15.Re1 Qd6

up to 11…g6 as line 34

12.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4; Stockfish prefers f3.
12…Nb6: You attack the bishop on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
13.Bb3: The bishop retreats.
13…a5: You gain space on the queenside.
14.Bd2: White develops the bishop.
14…Re8: The rook goes to the half-open e-file.
15.Re1: White confronts you on the e-file.
15…Qd6: The queen develops. The position is level.

Line 36: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bb4 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Bd2 g6 12.Qe2 Rc8 13.Ba2 Nb6 14.a5 Bxa5 15.Bxf7 Rxf7

up to 10…Nbd7 as line 35

11.Bd2: White develops the bishop; according to Stockfish inaccurate – h3 was better. The position is level.
11…g6: You secure the pawn on f5. Stockfish prefers a5, which stops White's advance a4–a5.
12.Qe2: The queen connects the rooks and covers the bishop on c4.
12…Rc8: The rook goes to c8 and later supports the lever c6–c5.
13.Ba2: The bishop retreats to a2, out of reach of your pieces, and stays on the diagonal towards g8.
13…Nb6: The knight aims at c4 and d5.
14.a5: White attacks the knight on b6.
14…Bxa5: You take the pawn – Stockfish's choice. In return White has a counter-blow on f7.
15.Bxf7: The counter-blow: White takes on f7 with check.
15…Rxf7: You recapture with the rook. White wins back the bishop on a5; material is then equal again and the position balanced.

Line 37: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bb4 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.f3 Qa5 12.Qd3 Rad8 13.Qc2 Nb6 14.Bb3 c5 15.Na2 cxd4

up to 10…Nbd7 as line 36

11.f3: White prepares e3–e4; Stockfish prefers h3.
11…Qa5: The queen strengthens the pin on the knight c3; Stockfish narrowly prefers Rc8.
12.Qd3: The queen covers the bishop on c4 and connects the rooks.
12…Rad8: The rook goes to the d-file – Stockfish's choice.
13.Qc2: The queen attacks the pawn on f5.
13…Nb6: You attack the bishop on c4.
14.Bb3: The bishop retreats.
14…c5: You attack the centre – Stockfish's choice.
15.Na2: The knight attacks the bishop on b4.
15…cxd4: You take on d4. The position is level.

Line 38: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bb4 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Qf3 g6 12.Qe2 Nb6 13.Bb3 Re8 14.a5 Nbd5 15.Bd2 Nxc3

up to 10…Nbd7 as line 37

11.Qf3: The queen attacks f5; Stockfish prefers h3.
11…g6: You cover f5 – Stockfish's choice.
12.Qe2: The queen retreats.
12…Nb6: You attack the bishop on c4.
13.Bb3: The bishop retreats.
13…Re8: The rook goes to the e-file.
14.a5: White attacks the knight on b6.
14…Nbd5: The knight jumps to d5 and attacks c3.
15.Bd2: White covers c3.
15…Nxc3: You trade on c3. The position is level.

Line 39: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Bb4 9.Bxc4 O-O 10.Qc2 g6 11.O-O Nbd7

up to 9…O-O as line 38

10.Qc2: The queen attacks the pawn on f5; according to Stockfish O-O was just as good.
10…g6: You cover f5 with the pawn – Stockfish's choice.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…Nbd7: The knight comes into play – Stockfish's choice. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 40: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Nh4 e6 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.Bg5 Bb4 9.e3 Qa5 10.Bxf6 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Qxc3 12.Ke2 gxf6 13.Kf3 Nd7 14.Rc1 Qa5 15.Bxc4 O-O-O

up to 7…exf5 as line 39

8.Bg5: The bishop pins the knight on f6; Stockfish prefers e3.
8…Bb4: You pin the knight on c3; Nbd7 is just as good.
9.e3: White prepares to win back the pawn on c4.
9…Qa5: The queen strengthens the pin on the knight c3 – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bxf6: White takes the knight on f6.
10…Bxc3: An in-between move: first you take on c3 with check.
11.bxc3: White recaptures.
11…Qxc3: You take the pawn on c3 with check.
12.Ke2: The king steps aside.
12…gxf6: You take back the bishop on f6. Material is level.
13.Kf3: The king goes to f3.
13…Nd7: The knight develops.
14.Rc1: The rook attacks the queen.
14…Qa5: The queen steps aside.
15.Bxc4: White wins back the pawn on c4.
15…O-O-O: You castle long. The position is level, both kings stand unusually.

Line 41: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Bg2 dxc4 10.Qe2 Be7 11.Qxc4 e5 12.O-O Nb6 13.Qe2 exd4 14.Rd1 O-O 15.Rxd4 Qc7

up to 3…Nf6 as line 40

4.e3: The Slow Slav: White supports d4 and opens the bishop on f1 but shuts in his bishop on c1. Your bishop goes to f5.
4…Bf5: The bishop comes out before e6 shuts it in.
5.Nc3: White develops. With e6 you build solidly.
5…e6: Your set-up is complete: pawns on c6, d5, e6, the bishop in front of the chain.
6.Nh4: The knight hunts your bishop. With Bg6 you step aside.
6…Bg6: The bishop steps aside. If White takes, you recapture with the h-pawn.
7.Nxg6: White gets the bishop pair. You recapture with the h-pawn.
7…hxg6: The h-file is open for your rook, the doubled pawn protects your king. Balanced.
8.g3: White secures h4 and f4. With Nbd7 you develop.
8…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. You follow with Bd6 and …dxc4.
9.Bg2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With dxc4 you take the pawn.
9…dxc4: You take on c4. White has to spend time winning it back.
10.Qe2: The queen attacks c4. With Nb6 you hold the pawn.
10…Be7: You develop the bishop; Stockfish prefers Nb6, which covers the pawn on c4.
11.Qxc4: White wins the pawn back.
11…e5: You attack the centre – Stockfish's choice.
12.O-O: White castles.
12…Nb6: You attack the queen; exd4 is just as good.
13.Qe2: The queen retreats.
13…exd4: You take on d4.
14.Rd1: The rook attacks the pawn on d4.
14…O-O: You castle.
15.Rxd4: White wins the pawn back.
15…Qc7: The queen develops. White is a little better.

Line 42: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Bg2 dxc4 10.Qe2 Be7 11.O-O O-O 12.Qxc4 e5 13.Rd1 exd4 14.exd4 Nb6 15.Qb3 Qd7

up to 10…Be7 as line 41

11.O-O: White castles; Qxc4 is just as good.
11…O-O: You castle; Stockfish prefers Nb6, which holds the pawn on c4.
12.Qxc4: White wins the pawn back.
12…e5: You strike in the centre.
13.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4.
13…exd4: You take on d4.
14.exd4: White recaptures.
14…Nb6: You attack the queen.
15.Qb3: The queen steps aside.
15…Qd7: The queen develops. White is a little better.

Line 43: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bb4 10.Bd2 Bxc3 11.Bxc3 Ne4 12.Bg2 Nxc3 13.bxc3 O-O 14.O-O Nb6 15.c5 Nc4

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 42

9.Qe2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. You continue with Bd6 and …dxc4.
9…Bb4: You pin the knight on c3 – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bd2: White covers the knight.
10…Bxc3: You trade the bishop for the knight.
11.Bxc3: White recaptures.
11…Ne4: The knight attacks the bishop on c3.
12.Bg2: White fianchettoes the bishop and attacks e4.
12…Nxc3: You trade the knight for the bishop.
13.bxc3: White recaptures.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…Nb6: The knight aims at c4.
15.c5: White attacks the knight on b6.
15…Nc4: The knight occupies the strong square c4. The position is level.

Line 44: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Bd2 Be7 10.Rc1 O-O 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Bd3 Bb4 13.Kf1 c5 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.Bb1 d4

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 43

9.Bd2: White develops the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
9…Be7: You develop the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
10.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
10…O-O: You castle.
11.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
11…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
12.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
12…Bb4: The bishop pins the knight on c3.
13.Kf1: White gives up castling.
13…c5: You attack the centre.
14.dxc5: White takes on c5.
14…Nxc5: You recapture with the knight and attack the bishop on d3.
15.Bb1: The bishop retreats.
15…d4: You push on and attack the knight on c3. The position is level.

Line 45: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Rc1 Bd6 10.g3 O-O 11.Bd3 dxc4 12.Bxc4 c5 13.O-O a6 14.Be2 b5 15.Bf3 Rc8

up to 7…hxg6 as line 44

8.Bd2: White develops the bishop. With Nbd7 you keep building.
8…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. Against Qb3 Qb6 is ready.
9.Rc1: Stockfish narrowly prefers Qb3 – a difference of a few hundredths. You keep developing with Bd6.
9…Bd6: The bishop develops actively – Stockfish's choice.
10.g3: White takes the diagonal towards h2 away from the bishop.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
11.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
11…dxc4: You take on c4 and gain a tempo against the bishop.
12.Bxc4: White recaptures.
12…c5: You attack the centre – Stockfish's choice.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…a6: You prepare the advance b7–b5.
14.Be2: The bishop retreats.
14…b5: You gain space on the queenside.
15.Bf3: The bishop attacks the rook on a8.
15…Rc8: The rook steps aside and goes to the c-file. The position is level.

Line 46: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Qb3 Qc7 10.cxd5 exd5 11.O-O-O a5 12.Qc2 Rxh2 13.Rxh2 Qxh2 14.a3 Be7 15.Kb1 Rd8

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 45

9.Qb3: The queen attacks b7 – Stockfish's choice.
9…Qc7: The queen covers b7; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qb6.
10.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
10…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
11.O-O-O: White castles long.
11…a5: You prepare an attack on the king on the queenside.
12.Qc2: The queen retreats.
12…Rxh2: You take the pawn on h2 – the rook is covered by the queen.
13.Rxh2: White trades the rooks.
13…Qxh2: You recapture with the queen and are a pawn up.
14.a3: White protects the king.
14…Be7: You develop the bishop.
15.Kb1: The king goes to safety.
15…Rd8: The rook develops. White has some play for the pawn.

Line 47: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Qb3 Qc7 10.g3 Be7 11.cxd5 exd5 12.h4 O-O 13.Rc1 Qd6 14.Qd1 a5 15.a4 Nb6

up to 9…Qc7 as line 46

10.g3: White prepares the fianchetto; Stockfish prefers cxd5.
10…Be7: You develop the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
11.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
11…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
12.h4: White gains space on the kingside.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
13…Qd6: The queen steps off the c-file.
14.Qd1: The queen retreats.
14…a5: You gain space on the queenside.
15.a4: White stops the a-pawn.
15…Nb6: The knight aims at c4. The position is level.

Line 48: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Qb3 Qc7 10.h3 Be7 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Bd3 a5 13.Rc1 Nb6 14.O-O O-O 15.Qc2 Rfe8

up to 9…Qc7 as line 47

10.h3: White makes luft; Stockfish prefers cxd5.
10…Be7: You develop the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
11.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
11…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
12.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
12…a5: You gain space on the queenside.
13.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
13…Nb6: The knight aims at c4.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…O-O: You castle.
15.Qc2: The queen retreats.
15…Rfe8: The rook goes to the e-file. The position is level.

Line 49: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Qc2 Bd6 10.O-O-O Ng4 11.Be1 Rxh2 12.Rxh2 Nxh2 13.Be2 Qg5 14.g3 Ng4 15.cxd5 exd5

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 48

9.Qc2: The queen develops; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qb3.
9…Bd6: You develop the bishop actively; Stockfish narrowly prefers Be7.
10.O-O-O: White castles long.
10…Ng4: The knight aims at h2 and f2.
11.Be1: White covers f2.
11…Rxh2: You take the pawn on h2.
12.Rxh2: White trades the rooks.
12…Nxh2: You recapture with the knight and are a pawn up.
13.Be2: White shuts the knight in.
13…Qg5: The queen frees the knight.
14.g3: White takes more squares from the knight.
14…Ng4: The knight gets out again.
15.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
15…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn. The position is level.

Line 50: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Be2 Bd6 10.Qc2 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Rc8 12.Rc1 a6 13.Be2 O-O 14.O-O c5 15.dxc5 Rxc5

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 49

9.Be2: White develops the bishop; Qb3 is just as good.
9…Bd6: You develop the bishop; Stockfish prefers dxc4.
10.Qc2: The queen develops; Stockfish prefers Qb3.
10…dxc4: You take on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
11.Bxc4: White recaptures.
11…Rc8: The rook prepares the advance c6–c5.
12.Rc1: White lines up on the c-file.
12…a6: You secure b5.
13.Be2: The bishop retreats.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…c5: You strike in the centre.
15.dxc5: White takes on c5.
15…Rxc5: You recapture with the rook. The position is level.

Line 51: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.g3

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 50

9.g3: White prepares the fianchetto; Qb3 is just as good. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 52: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.b3 Bb4 10.h3 g5 11.Bd3 g4 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Bf5 gxh3 14.Rxh3 Rxh3 15.Bxh3 Qe7

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 51

9.b3: White supports c4; according to Stockfish inaccurate – Qb3 was better. Now Black is a little better.
9…Bb4: You pin the knight on c3 – Stockfish's choice.
10.h3: White makes luft.
10…g5: You attack on the kingside.
11.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
11…g4: You attack the pawn on h3.
12.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
12…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
13.Bf5: The bishop attacks the knight on d7.
13…gxh3: You take on h3.
14.Rxh3: White recaptures with the rook.
14…Rxh3: You trade the rooks.
15.Bxh3: White recaptures.
15…Qe7: The queen develops. Black is a little better.

Line 53: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd3 Nbd7 9.O-O Bd6 10.h3 Qe7 11.e4 dxe4 12.Bxe4 Bc7 13.Be3 O-O-O 14.Re1 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Rh5

up to 7…hxg6 as line 52

8.Bd3: The bishop aims at g6. With Nbd7 you build up; Stockfish also mentions …c5.
8…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. Your position is solid.
9.O-O: White castles – Stockfish's choice.
9…Bd6: You develop the bishop actively – Stockfish's choice.
10.h3: White makes luft; Stockfish narrowly prefers g3.
10…Qe7: The queen prepares castling long; Stockfish narrowly prefers O-O.
11.e4: White attacks in the centre.
11…dxe4: You take the pawn.
12.Bxe4: White recaptures.
12…Bc7: The bishop retreats.
13.Be3: White develops the bishop.
13…O-O-O: You castle long; your rook already stands on the open h-file.
14.Re1: The rook goes to the e-file.
14…Nxe4: You take the bishop on e4.
15.Nxe4: White recaptures.
15…Rh5: The rook becomes active along the fifth rank. The position is level.

Line 54: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Bd3 Nbd7 9.h3 Bd6 10.O-O

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 53

9.h3: White makes luft; Stockfish prefers O-O.
9…Bd6: You develop the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
10.O-O: White castles. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 55: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Qb3 Qc7 9.g3 Nbd7 10.Bg2 Be7 11.O-O O-O 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Bd2 Qb6 14.Rfc1 Qxb3 15.axb3 Bb4

up to 7…hxg6 as line 54

8.Qb3: The queen attacks b7; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bd2.
8…Qc7: The queen covers b7 – Stockfish's choice.
9.g3: White secures h4. With Nbd7 you develop.
9…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. Stockfish also mentions Be7.
10.Bg2: White fianchettoes the bishop; Stockfish prefers Bd3.
10…Be7: You develop the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…O-O: You castle; Stockfish prefers a5.
12.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
12…cxd5: You recapture with the c-pawn and open the c-file.
13.Bd2: White develops the bishop.
13…Qb6: You offer the queen trade.
14.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
14…Qxb3: You trade queens.
15.axb3: White recaptures and opens the a-file.
15…Bb4: The bishop attacks the knight on c3. The endgame is level.

Line 56: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Qb3 Qc7 9.g3 Nbd7 10.Bd2

up to 9…Nbd7 as line 55

10.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bd3. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 57: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Qb3 Qc7 9.Bd2 Nbd7

up to 8…Qc7 as line 56

9.Bd2: White develops the bishop. With Be7 and Nbd7 you keep building.
9…Nbd7: You develop the knight – Stockfish's choice. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 58: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Qb3 Qc7 9.h3 Nbd7 10.Bd2

up to 8…Qc7 as line 57

9.h3: White makes luft; Stockfish prefers g3.
9…Nbd7: The knight comes into play; Be7 is just as good.
10.Bd2: White develops the bishop. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 59: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Qb3 Qc7 8.Nxg6 hxg6

up to 6…Bg6 as line 58

7.Qb3: The queen attacks b7. With Qc7 you cover it.
7…Qc7: The queen covers b7 – that is Stockfish's choice too.
8.Nxg6: White takes the bishop. You recapture with the h-pawn.
8…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file for your rook – Stockfish's choice. The pawn on g6 stands firm and controls f5 and h5. (transposition)

Line 60: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Qb3 Qc7 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.Rc1 Nb6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.h3 Be7 13.Bd3 O-O 14.O-O a5

up to 7…Qc7 as line 59

8.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers Nxg6.
8…Nbd7: The knight comes into play; according to Stockfish Ne4 was better. White is a little better.
9.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file; Stockfish prefers cxd5.
9…Nb6: The knight increases the pressure on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
10.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
10…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
11.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
11…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file.
12.h3: White makes luft.
12…Be7: You develop the bishop.
13.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…a5: You gain space on the queenside. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 61: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.O-O Bd6 9.g3 O-O 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qc2 dxc4 12.Bxc4 b5 13.Be2 b4 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Rc8

up to 6…Bg6 as line 60

7.Be2: White develops. With Nbd7 you build up.
7…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. Stockfish also mentions …dxc4 at once.
8.O-O: White castles. With Bd6 you develop.
8…Bd6: The bishop aims at the kingside. You castle next.
9.g3: White weakens his kingside. You castle.
9…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
10.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
10…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file.
11.Qc2: The queen develops.
11…dxc4: You take the pawn on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
12.Bxc4: White recaptures.
12…b5: You drive the bishop away with tempo and gain space on the queenside.
13.Be2: The bishop retreats.
13…b4: You drive the knight away from c3.
14.Ne4: The knight jumps to the centre and attacks your knight on f6.
14…Nxe4: You trade the knights.
15.Qxe4: White recaptures with the queen.
15…Rc8: The rook goes to the half-open c-file and supports the lever c6–c5. The position is level.

Line 62: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.Bd2 Bd6 9.Nxg6 hxg6

up to 7…Nbd7 as line 61

8.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers O-O.
8…Bd6: You develop the bishop; Stockfish prefers dxc4.
9.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
9…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 63: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.g3 Bd6 9.O-O

up to 7…Nbd7 as line 62

8.g3: White supports the knight on h4; according to Stockfish O-O is just as good.
8…Bd6: You develop the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
9.O-O: White castles. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 64: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.g3 Bd6 10.Qc2 a6 11.O-O dxc4 12.Bxc4 Qa5 13.e4 e5 14.d5 Nb6 15.Be2 cxd5

up to 7…Nbd7 as line 63

8.Nxg6: White takes the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers O-O.
8…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file.
9.g3: The pawn covers h4.
9…Bd6: You develop the bishop actively.
10.Qc2: The queen develops.
10…a6: You secure b5.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…dxc4: You take on c4.
12.Bxc4: White recaptures.
12…Qa5: The queen eyes the knight on c3.
13.e4: White occupies the centre.
13…e5: You strike back in the centre.
14.d5: White pushes on.
14…Nb6: You attack the bishop on c4.
15.Be2: The bishop retreats.
15…cxd5: You take on d5. The position is level.

Line 65: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 Nbd7 8.O-O Bb4 9.Bd2 a5 10.a3 Be7 11.Rfe1 O-O 12.e4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Qxe4 Re8 15.Rad1 Qb6

up to 5…e6 as line 64

6.Bd3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – White offers the bishop trade. You trade.
6…Bxd3: You trade the bishops – without his good bishop White lacks an attacker.
7.Qxd3: The queen recaptures. With Nbd7 you build up.
7…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. Stockfish also mentions Be7.
8.O-O: White castles. With Bb4 you pin the knight.
8…Bb4: The bishop pins the knight and slows down e3–e4.
9.Bd2: White prepares to break the pin. With a5 you secure the bishop.
9…a5: The pawn supports the bishop on b4. Balanced.
10.a3: White questions the bishop. It retreats to e7.
10…Be7: The bishop retreats to e7 – Stockfish's choice.
11.Rfe1: The rook prepares e3–e4.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.e4: White attacks in the centre.
12…Nxe4: You take the pawn on e4.
13.Nxe4: White trades the knights.
13…dxe4: You recapture and attack the queen.
14.Qxe4: White wins the pawn back.
14…Re8: The rook goes to the e-file.
15.Rad1: The second rook comes into play.
15…Qb6: The queen attacks b2. The position is level.

Line 66: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 Nbd7 8.O-O Bb4 9.Bd2 a5 10.Rfd1 O-O 11.h3 Qb8 12.a3 Bxc3 13.Bxc3 a4 14.Ne5 h6 15.Nxd7 Nxd7

up to 9…a5 as line 65

10.Rfd1: The rook goes to the d-file; Stockfish prefers a3.
10…O-O: You castle.
11.h3: White makes luft.
11…Qb8: The queen leaves the d-file.
12.a3: White questions the bishop on b4.
12…Bxc3: You trade the bishop for the knight.
13.Bxc3: White recaptures with the bishop.
13…a4: You fix the queenside.
14.Ne5: The knight occupies e5.
14…h6: You make luft for your king.
15.Nxd7: White trades the knights.
15…Nxd7: You recapture with the knight. The position is level.

Line 67: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 Nbd7 8.O-O Bb4 9.a3 Bxc3 10.bxc3 Qa5 11.a4 O-O 12.Ba3 Rfc8 13.c5 Ne4 14.Rfb1 Qc7 15.c4 b6

up to 8…Bb4 as line 66

9.a3: White questions the bishop on b4; Stockfish prefers Bd2.
9…Bxc3: You trade the bishop for the knight – Stockfish's choice.
10.bxc3: White recaptures with the b-pawn; Stockfish prefers Qxc3.
10…Qa5: The queen attacks the pawn on c3.
11.a4: White gains space.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.Ba3: The bishop attacks the rook on f8.
12…Rfc8: The rook steps aside and goes to the c-file.
13.c5: White gains space on the queenside.
13…Ne4: The knight occupies e4.
14.Rfb1: The rook goes to the b-file.
14…Qc7: The queen retreats.
15.c4: White attacks in the centre.
15…b6: You attack the pawn chain. The position is level.

Line 68: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 Nbd7 8.O-O Bb4 9.b3 O-O 10.Bb2 Re8 11.Rfd1 Qe7 12.Qc2 Rac8 13.h3 h6 14.a3 Ba5 15.a4 Bb4

up to 8…Bb4 as line 67

9.b3: White supports c4; Stockfish prefers Bd2.
9…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bb2: White develops the bishop; a3 is just as good.
10…Re8: The rook prepares the advance e6–e5.
11.Rfd1: The rook goes to the d-file.
11…Qe7: The queen supports e6–e5.
12.Qc2: The queen eyes e4.
12…Rac8: The second rook comes into play.
13.h3: White makes luft.
13…h6: You also make luft for your king.
14.a3: White questions the bishop on b4.
14…Ba5: The bishop retreats and keeps the pin.
15.a4: White takes more squares from the bishop.
15…Bb4: The bishop returns to b4. The position is level.

Line 69: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Bd2 e6 8.Bb5 Nc6 9.Bb4 Bxb4 10.Qxb4 Qe7 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Qxe7 Kxe7 13.Nc3 Rhc8 14.Na4 Nd7 15.Rc1 h5

up to 4…Bf5 as line 68

5.cxd5: White exchanges on d5. You recapture with the c-pawn – the position becomes symmetrical.
5…cxd5: Symmetrical pawns. Your bishop on f5 is already active.
6.Qb3: The queen attacks b7. With Qc7 you cover it.
6…Qc7: The queen covers b7 and eyes the c-file.
7.Bd2: White develops the bishop. With e6 you build up.
7…e6: The e-pawn opens your bishop on f8. Stockfish also mentions …a6.
8.Bb5: The bishop gives check. With Nc6 you cover it.
8…Nc6: The knight blocks the check. With Bd6 you keep developing.
9.Bb4: White wants to trade the dark-squared bishops. With Bd6 you agree.
9…Bxb4: You trade the bishops with check – Stockfish's choice.
10.Qxb4: White recaptures with the queen.
10…Qe7: You offer the queen trade; Nd7 is just as good.
11.Bxc6: White first takes on c6 with check.
11…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn.
12.Qxe7: White trades queens; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qa5.
12…Kxe7: The king recaptures and stands well in the centre for the endgame.
13.Nc3: White develops the knight.
13…Rhc8: The rook covers c6 – Stockfish's choice.
14.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
14…Nd7: The knight covers c5.
15.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
15…h5: You gain space on the kingside. The endgame is level.

Line 70: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Bd2 e6 8.Bb5 Nc6 9.O-O Bd6 10.Bb4 O-O 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Qa3 Bxb4 13.Qxb4 Rfb8 14.Qa3 Qb6 15.b3 a5

up to 8…Nc6 as line 69

9.O-O: White castles. With Bd6 you develop.
9…Bd6: The bishop develops and aims at h2 – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bb4: White offers the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
10…O-O: You castle and allow the trade – Stockfish's choice.
11.Bxc6: White gives the bishop for the knight on c6; according to Stockfish Bxd6 is just as good.
11…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn and strengthen the centre. Stockfish narrowly prefers Qxc6.
12.Qa3: The queen supports the bishop on b4.
12…Bxb4: You trade the bishops.
13.Qxb4: White recaptures with the queen.
13…Rfb8: The rook attacks the queen on the b-file.
14.Qa3: The queen steps aside.
14…Qb6: The queen occupies the half-open b-file.
15.b3: White closes the b-file.
15…a5: You plan the advance a5–a4 to attack the pawn on b3. The position is level.

Line 71: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Nc3 e6 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Rc1 Be7 10.Bb5 O-O 11.Nh4 Be4 12.f3 Bg6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.O-O Rac8 15.h3 a6

up to 6…Qc7 as line 70

7.Nc3: White develops. With e6 you build up.
7…e6: Your position is solid. Against Nh4 Bg6 is ready.
8.Bd2: White develops the bishop. With Nc6 you develop.
8…Nc6: The knight goes to c6. Stockfish also mentions Be7.
9.Rc1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With Be7 you develop and castle soon.
9…Be7: The bishop goes to e7. You castle next.
10.Bb5: The bishop pins the knight on c6; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nh4.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
11.Nh4: The knight attacks the bishop on f5.
11…Be4: The bishop steps aside to e4.
12.f3: White drives the bishop away.
12…Bg6: The bishop retreats; the pawn on e3 is now weakened.
13.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
13…hxg6: You recapture.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…Rac8: The rook goes to the c-file.
15.h3: White makes luft.
15…a6: You question the bishop on b5. The position is level.

Line 72: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Nc3 e6 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Rc1 Be7 10.Be2 O-O 11.Nh4 Bg4 12.Bxg4 Nxg4 13.Nf3 Rfc8 14.Ne2 Nf6 15.O-O Nd7

up to 9…Be7 as line 71

10.Be2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers Nh4.
10…O-O: You castle; h6 is just as good.
11.Nh4: The knight attacks the bishop on f5.
11…Bg4: The bishop steps aside to g4 and offers the trade.
12.Bxg4: White trades the bishops.
12…Nxg4: You recapture with the knight.
13.Nf3: The knight returns to f3.
13…Rfc8: The rook goes to the c-file.
14.Ne2: The knight leaves c3.
14…Nf6: The knight returns to f6.
15.O-O: White castles.
15…Nd7: The knight heads for b6 or c5. The position is level.

Line 73: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Nc3 e6 8.Bd2 Nc6 9.Be2 a6 10.Rc1 Bd6 11.Nh4 Be4 12.f3 Bg6 13.g4 Rc8 14.g5 Ng8 15.Nxg6 hxg6

up to 8…Nc6 as line 72

9.Be2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers Nh4.
9…a6: You take b5 away from the knight – Stockfish's choice.
10.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
10…Bd6: You develop the bishop.
11.Nh4: The knight attacks the bishop on f5.
11…Be4: The bishop steps aside to e4.
12.f3: White drives the bishop away.
12…Bg6: The bishop retreats to g6.
13.g4: White gains space on the kingside.
13…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file.
14.g5: White drives the knight away from f6.
14…Ng8: The knight retreats and returns to play via e7.
15.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
15…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file. White's pawns are weakened; Black is a little better.

Line 74: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Bb5 Nc6 8.Bd2 e6

up to 6…Qc7 as line 73

7.Bb5: White gives check; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bd2.
7…Nc6: You block with the knight – Stockfish's choice.
8.Bd2: White develops the bishop.
8…e6: You open the diagonal for the bishop on f8. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 75: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Ne5 Nfd7 8.Qb3 Nxe5 9.dxe5 Qd7 10.Bb5 Nc6 11.O-O Be7 12.e4 dxe4 13.Bf4 O-O 14.Rfd1 Qc7 15.Qc4 g5

up to 5…cxd5 as line 74

6.Nc3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With e6 you build up.
6…e6: Your position is solid. Against Ne5 Nfd7 is ready.
7.Ne5: The knight centralizes. With Nfd7 you question it.
7…Nfd7: The knight attacks e5. Balanced.
8.Qb3: The queen attacks b7; according to Stockfish inaccurate – g4 was better. Now Black is a little better.
8…Nxe5: You trade the knight – Stockfish's choice.
9.dxe5: White recaptures.
9…Qd7: The queen covers b7.
10.Bb5: The bishop attacks the queen.
10…Nc6: The knight blocks and develops.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…Be7: You develop the bishop.
12.e4: White opens the centre and attacks the bishop on f5.
12…dxe4: You take the pawn.
13.Bf4: White develops the bishop.
13…O-O: You castle and keep the extra pawn.
14.Rfd1: The rook attacks the queen on d7.
14…Qc7: The queen steps aside.
15.Qc4: The queen attacks the knight on c6.
15…g5: You attack the bishop on f4. Black is a little better.

Line 76: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Ne5 Nfd7 8.g4 Bg6 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Bg2 Nc6 11.O-O Nb6 12.h3 Rc8 13.Qe2 Bd6 14.Bd2 O-O 15.Rad1 a6

up to 7…Nfd7 as line 75

8.g4: White chases the bishop on f5 – Stockfish's choice.
8…Bg6: The bishop steps aside to g6.
9.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
9…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file.
10.Bg2: White fianchettoes the bishop; Stockfish prefers h4. Now Black is a little better.
10…Nc6: You develop the knight – Stockfish's choice.
11.O-O: White castles; Stockfish narrowly prefers h3.
11…Nb6: The knight aims at c4.
12.h3: White covers g4.
12…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file.
13.Qe2: The queen develops.
13…Bd6: You develop the bishop.
14.Bd2: White develops the bishop.
14…O-O: You castle.
15.Rad1: The rook comes into play.
15…a6: You secure b5. Black is a little better.

Line 77: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nc3 e6 7.Qb3 Qc7

up to 6…e6 as line 76

7.Qb3: The queen attacks b7; Stockfish narrowly prefers Ne5.
7…Qc7: The queen covers b7 – Stockfish's choice. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 78: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Nc3

up to 4…Bf5 as line 77

5.Bd3: White offers the bishop trade; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nc3. You trade.
5…Bxd3: You trade the bishops.
6.Qxd3: The queen recaptures. With e6 you build up.
6…e6: Your position is solid and balanced.
7.O-O: White castles. With Nbd7 you develop.
7…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. Stockfish also mentions Be7 first.
8.Nc3: White puts the knight on c3; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nbd2. After the bishop trade Black stands comfortably, the position is level. (transposition)

Line 79: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Nbd2 Be7 9.b3 O-O 10.Bb2 a5 11.a3 Qb6 12.Rfc1 Qa6 13.h3 h6 14.Qc2 b6 15.b4 dxc4

up to 7…Nbd7 as line 78

8.Nbd2: White develops. With Be7 you follow.
8…Be7: The bishop goes to e7. You castle next.
9.b3: White fianchettoes. You castle.
9…O-O: Both have castled. With …c5 or …e5 you later break in the centre.
10.Bb2: White has built up. Balanced.
10…a5: You gain space on the queenside – Stockfish's choice.
11.a3: White takes b4 away from your pawn; Stockfish narrowly prefers a4.
11…Qb6: The queen goes to the diagonal towards b2; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qb8.
12.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
12…Qa6: The queen increases the pressure on c4.
13.h3: White makes luft.
13…h6: You also make luft for your king.
14.Qc2: The queen develops.
14…b6: You support the pawn on a5 and the lever c6–c5.
15.b4: White attacks on the queenside.
15…dxc4: You take on c4. The position is level.

Line 80: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Nbd2 Be7 9.e4 dxc4 10.Qxc4 O-O 11.b3 c5 12.Bb2 Rc8 13.Qe2 a6 14.a4 cxd4 15.Nxd4 Qa5

up to 8…Be7 as line 79

9.e4: White opens the centre; Stockfish prefers h3.
9…dxc4: You take on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
10.Qxc4: White recaptures with the queen.
10…O-O: You castle.
11.b3: White prepares to develop the bishop.
11…c5: You attack the centre.
12.Bb2: White develops the bishop.
12…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file and eyes the queen.
13.Qe2: The queen leaves the c-file.
13…a6: You prepare b7–b5.
14.a4: White stops the advance.
14…cxd4: You take on d4.
15.Nxd4: White recaptures.
15…Qa5: The queen attacks the knight on d2. The position is level.

Line 81: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.O-O Nbd7 8.b3 Be7 9.Nbd2

up to 7…Nbd7 as line 80

8.b3: White prepares to develop the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nbd2.
8…Be7: You develop the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
9.Nbd2: White develops the knight. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 82: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 e6 7.Nc3

up to 6…e6 as line 81

7.Nc3: White develops the knight – according to Stockfish as good as O-O. The position leads into the line in which White castles and you put the knight on d7. (transposition)

Line 83: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rfc1 Rfc8 13.Ne2 Ne7 14.Rxc8 Rxc8 15.Rc1 Rxc1 16.Nxc1 Qc7

up to 3…Nf6 as line 82

4.cxd5: The exchange: White makes the position symmetrical. You recapture with the c-pawn.
4…cxd5: Symmetrical pawns. With Nc6 and Bf5 you develop actively.
5.Nc3: White develops the knight. With Nc6 you follow.
5…Nc6: The knight goes to c6 and controls e5 and d4.
6.Bf4: The bishop goes to f4. With Bf5 you place your bishop symmetrically.
6…Bf5: Fully symmetrical. White only has the first move – with precise play you equalize.
7.e3: White opens his bishop on f1. With e6 you follow.
7…e6: Symmetrical again. Against Bd3 you trade the bishops.
8.Bd3: White offers the bishop trade. You take.
8…Bxd3: You trade the bishops. White recaptures with the queen.
9.Qxd3: The queen stands on d3. With Bd6 you offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
9…Bd6: You put your bishop against the bishop on f4 – after the trade White has no active bishop left.
10.Bxd6: White trades. You recapture with the queen.
10…Qxd6: The queen stands centrally. Both castle – a balanced middlegame.
11.O-O: White castles. You castle as well.
11…O-O: Both have castled. The fight is for the c-file.
12.Rfc1: The rook occupies the c-file. With Rfc8 you oppose with your rook.
12…Rfc8: The rooks face each other. Balanced.
13.Ne2: The knight regroups. With Ne7 you do the same.
13…Ne7: The knight regroups. The rooks are traded on the c-file.
14.Rxc8: White trades. You recapture with the other rook.
14…Rxc8: Your rook controls the c-file.
15.Rc1: White offers the last rook trade. You trade – a balanced endgame.
15…Rxc1: The rooks are traded. Queen and knight remain – balanced.
16.Nxc1: The knight recaptures. With Ne4 you activate your knight.
16…Qc7: The queen takes over the c-file – Stockfish's choice. The position is level.

Line 84: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rfc1 Rfc8 13.h3 h6 14.Qb5 Ne8 15.Ne1 Qc7

up to 12…Rfc8 as line 83

13.h3: Luft for the king. With …h6 you do the same.
13…h6: You make luft for your king; Qb4 is just as good.
14.Qb5: The queen attacks the knight on c6.
14…Ne8: The knight retreats and heads for d6 – Stockfish's choice.
15.Ne1: The knight heads for d3.
15…Qc7: The queen goes to the c-file. The position is completely level.

Line 85: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rfc1 Rfc8 13.Qb5 Qb4 14.Qxb4 Nxb4 15.Ne5 Ne8

up to 12…Rfc8 as line 84

13.Qb5: The queen goes to b5 and attacks the knight on c6 – Stockfish's choice.
13…Qb4: You offer the queen trade – Stockfish's choice. In every game of the collections this position ended in a draw.
14.Qxb4: White trades queens; h3 would have been just as good.
14…Nxb4: You recapture with the knight; it aims at c2 and a2.
15.Ne5: The knight stands centrally; Stockfish narrowly prefers Ne1.
15…Ne8: The knight covers c7 and d6. The endgame is level.

Line 86: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rfc1 Rfc8 13.a3 a6 14.Qd1 Na5 15.Ne5 Qd8

up to 12…Rfc8 as line 85

13.a3: White takes b4 away from your knight; Stockfish prefers Qb5.
13…a6: You take b5 away from White's queen; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qd8.
14.Qd1: The queen retreats.
14…Na5: The knight aims at c4 – Stockfish's choice.
15.Ne5: The knight occupies e5.
15…Qd8: The queen steps back and keeps everything covered. The position is level.

Line 87: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rac1 Rfc8 13.a3 a6 14.Rc2 Qd8 15.Rfc1 Na5

up to 11…O-O as line 86

12.Rac1: The rook occupies the c-file. With Rfc8 you oppose it.
12…Rfc8: The rooks face each other on the c-file. Balanced.
13.a3: White takes b4 away from the knight. With Ne8 and Nd6 you regroup your knight.
13…a6: You take b5 away from the knight; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qd8.
14.Rc2: White prepares doubling.
14…Qd8: The queen retreats.
15.Rfc1: White doubles the rooks.
15…Na5: The knight aims at c4. The position is level.

Line 88: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rac1 Rfc8 13.h3 h6 14.a3 Qd8 15.Rc2 Na5

up to 12…Rfc8 as line 87

13.h3: White makes luft – Stockfish's choice.
13…h6: You also make luft for your king.
14.a3: White takes b4 away from the knight.
14…Qd8: The queen retreats.
15.Rc2: White prepares to double the rooks.
15…Na5: The knight aims at c4. The position is level.

Line 89: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Rac1 Rfc8 13.Ne2 Rc7 14.Nd2 Rac8 15.Rc5 b6

up to 12…Rfc8 as line 88

13.Ne2: The knight leaves c3; according to Stockfish h3 is just as good.
13…Rc7: The rook prepares doubling.
14.Nd2: The knight heads for b3.
14…Rac8: You double the rooks on the c-file.
15.Rc5: The rook goes to c5.
15…b6: You drive the rook away from c5. The position is level.

Line 90: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bb5 Nd7 9.Qa4 Rc8 10.O-O a6 11.Bxc6 Rxc6 12.Rfc1 Be7 13.Ne2 Qb6 14.Rxc6 bxc6 15.Rc1 Bd3 16.Qd1 Bg6

up to 7…e6 as line 89

8.Bb5: The bishop pins the knight on c6. With Nd7 you prepare Be7 and castling.
8…Nd7: The knight makes room for …f6 or Be7 and covers c5 and e5.
9.Qa4: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – the queen reinforces the pin. With Rc8 you cover the knight on c6.
9…Rc8: The rook covers c6. Your position is safe.
10.O-O: White castles. With a6 you question the bishop on b5.
10…a6: The pawn attacks the bishop. According to Stockfish Be7 is slightly more accurate. White trades on c6.
11.Bxc6: White trades the bishop. You recapture with the rook.
11…Rxc6: The rook stands actively on the c-file. You have the bishop pair.
12.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file. With Be7 you develop.
12…Be7: The bishop goes to e7, you castle soon. The bishop pair gives you long-term chances.
13.Ne2: The knight regroups. With Qb6 you activate the queen.
13…Qb6: The queen attacks b2 – Stockfish's choice.
14.Rxc6: White trades the rooks.
14…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn.
15.Rc1: The rook attacks the pawn on c6.
15…Bd3: The bishop attacks the knight on e2 – Stockfish's choice.
16.Qd1: The queen covers the knight and attacks the bishop on d3.
16…Bg6: The bishop retreats. The position is completely level – in the games it almost always ended in a draw.

Line 91: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bb5 Nd7 9.Qa4 Rc8 10.O-O a6 11.Bxc6 Rxc6 12.Rfc1 Be7 13.Nd1 b5 14.Qb3 Rc8 15.Rxc8 Qxc8

up to 12…Be7 as line 90

13.Nd1: According to Stockfish a mistake – Ne2 was better. Now Black is better.
13…b5: You attack the queen – Stockfish's choice.
14.Qb3: The queen steps aside.
14…Rc8: You confront the rook on the c-file.
15.Rxc8: White trades the rooks.
15…Qxc8: You recapture and hold the c-file. Black is better.

Line 92: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bb5 Nd7 9.Qa4 Rc8 10.Bxc6 Rxc6 11.Qxa7 Qc8 12.Qa5 Ra6 13.Qc7 Qxc7 14.Bxc7 Bb4 15.Ke2 Bxc3

up to 9…Rc8 as line 91

10.Bxc6: White takes the knight on c6; Stockfish narrowly prefers Rc1.
10…Rxc6: You recapture with the rook – Stockfish's choice.
11.Qxa7: White takes the pawn on a7; according to Stockfish inaccurate – O-O was better. Now Black is better.
11…Qc8: The queen covers the c-file – Stockfish's choice.
12.Qa5: The queen retreats.
12…Ra6: The rook attacks the queen.
13.Qc7: The queen offers the trade.
13…Qxc7: You trade queens.
14.Bxc7: White recaptures.
14…Bb4: The bishop attacks the knight on c3.
15.Ke2: The king goes to the centre, where it stands well for the endgame.
15…Bxc3: You take the knight and spoil White's pawns. Black is better.

Line 93: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bb5 Nd7 9.O-O Be7 10.Rc1 O-O 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Na4 Rc8 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Qa5 15.Nc5 f6

up to 8…Nd7 as line 92

9.O-O: White castles. With Be7 you develop and castle soon.
9…Be7: The bishop goes to e7. You castle next.
10.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file. You castle.
10…O-O: You castle; according to Stockfish Rc8 was more precise.
11.Bxc6: White takes the knight on c6; Stockfish prefers Na4.
11…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn – Stockfish's choice.
12.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
12…Rc8: The rook supports the pawn on c6 and later the lever c6–c5.
13.Ne5: The knight attacks your knight on d7.
13…Nxe5: You trade the knights – Stockfish's choice.
14.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop.
14…Qa5: The queen attacks the knight on a4.
15.Nc5: The knight jumps to c5.
15…f6: You drive the bishop away from e5 and prepare the advance e6–e5. The position is level.

Line 94: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bb5 Nd7 9.O-O Be7 10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.Bxe5 f6 13.Bg3 Qa5 14.Na4 Kf7 15.h4 Rhc8

up to 9…Be7 as line 93

10.Bxc6: White takes the knight on c6; Stockfish narrowly prefers h3.
10…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn and strengthen the centre.
11.Ne5: The knight attacks d7; Stockfish narrowly prefers Qe2.
11…Nxe5: You trade the knight – Stockfish's choice.
12.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop.
12…f6: You drive the bishop away from e5.
13.Bg3: The bishop retreats.
13…Qa5: The queen pins the knight on c3.
14.Na4: The knight steps out of the pin.
14…Kf7: The king stays in the centre and connects the rooks.
15.h4: White gains space on the kingside.
15…Rhc8: The rook goes to the c-file. The position is level.

Line 95: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bb5 Nd7 9.O-O Be7 10.Qb3 O-O 11.Rfc1 Rc8 12.h3 Nb6 13.Na4 Nxa4 14.Bxa4 Na5 15.Qb5 Rxc1

up to 9…Be7 as line 94

10.Qb3: The queen attacks b7; Stockfish prefers h3.
10…O-O: You castle; according to Stockfish inaccurate – g5 was better. Now White is a little better.
11.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
11…Rc8: You confront the rook on the c-file.
12.h3: White makes luft.
12…Nb6: The knight goes to b6.
13.Na4: The knight attacks the knight on b6.
13…Nxa4: You trade the knights.
14.Bxa4: White recaptures with the bishop.
14…Na5: The knight attacks the queen.
15.Qb5: The queen steps aside.
15…Rxc1: You trade the rooks with check. The position is level.

Line 96: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bb5 Nd7 9.O-O Be7 10.Ne5 Ndxe5 11.Bxe5 O-O 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.Na4 Qa5 14.Qb3 f6 15.Bg3 Rac8

up to 9…Be7 as line 95

10.Ne5: The knight attacks the knights on c6 and d7; Stockfish narrowly prefers h3.
10…Ndxe5: You trade the knight – Stockfish's choice.
11.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.Bxc6: White takes the knight on c6.
12…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn and strengthen the centre.
13.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
13…Qa5: The queen attacks the knight on a4.
14.Qb3: The queen covers the knight.
14…f6: You drive the bishop away from e5.
15.Bg3: The bishop retreats.
15…Rac8: The rook prepares the advance c6–c5. The position is level.

Line 97: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Bb5 Nd7 9.Ne5 Ndxe5 10.Bxe5 Rc8 11.h4 h5 12.Rc1 a6 13.Bxc6 Rxc6 14.O-O f6 15.Bg3 Kf7

up to 8…Nd7 as line 96

9.Ne5: The knight attacks the knights on c6 and d7; Stockfish prefers O-O.
9…Ndxe5: You trade the knight – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop.
10…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file.
11.h4: White gains space on the kingside.
11…h5: You stop the h-pawn.
12.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
12…a6: You question the bishop on b5.
13.Bxc6: White takes the knight with check.
13…Rxc6: You recapture with the rook.
14.O-O: White castles.
14…f6: You drive the bishop away from e5.
15.Bg3: The bishop retreats.
15…Kf7: The king stays in the centre, where it is safe. The position is level.

Line 98: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Qb3 Bb4 9.Bb5 O-O 10.O-O Bxc3 11.Qxc3 Rc8 12.Rfc1 Ne4 13.Qe1 g5 14.Bxc6 gxf4 15.Ba4 Ng5

up to 7…e6 as line 97

8.Qb3: The queen attacks b7. With Bb4 you pin the knight on c3 and gain counterplay.
8…Bb4: The bishop pins the knight. If White takes on b7, he loses time.
9.Bb5: White pins your knight on c6. You castle.
9…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
10.O-O: Both have castled. With Bxc3 you trade the bishop.
10…Bxc3: You trade on c3. If White recaptures with the queen, you jump into the centre with Ne4.
11.Qxc3: The queen recaptures. With Ne4 you attack it.
11…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file opposite the queen; Ne4 is just as good.
12.Rfc1: White also puts a rook on the c-file.
12…Ne4: The knight attacks the queen – Stockfish's choice.
13.Qe1: The queen steps aside to e1.
13…g5: You chase the bishop on f4.
14.Bxc6: White first gives the bishop for the knight on c6.
14…gxf4: You take the bishop on f4; material stays equal.
15.Ba4: The bishop retreats.
15…Ng5: The knight attacks the knight on f3. The position is level.

Line 99: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Qb3 Bb4 9.Bb5 O-O 10.O-O Bxc3 11.Bxc6 Bxb2 12.Bxb7 Bxa1 13.Rxa1 Qb6 14.Bxa8 Rxa8 15.Ne5 h6

up to 10…Bxc3 as line 98

11.Bxc6: White first takes on c6 – Stockfish's choice.
11…Bxb2: An in-between move: you take the pawn on b2 and attack the rook on a1; bxc6 is just as good.
12.Bxb7: White takes the pawn on b7 and attacks the rook on a8.
12…Bxa1: You take the rook on a1.
13.Rxa1: White takes the bishop back.
13…Qb6: The queen attacks the bishop on b7; Ne4 is just as good.
14.Bxa8: White takes the rook on a8.
14…Rxa8: You recapture; material is level.
15.Ne5: The knight occupies e5.
15…h6: You make luft for your king. The position is level.

Line 100: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Qb3 Bb4 9.Bb5 O-O 10.Bxc6 Bxc3 11.Qxc3 Rc8 12.Ne5 Ng4 13.Nxg4 Bxg4 14.Qb4 Rxc6 15.Qxb7 Qc8

up to 9…O-O as line 99

10.Bxc6: White takes on c6 at once with check; according to Stockfish O-O is just as good.
10…Bxc3: An in-between move: first you take on c3 with check – Stockfish's choice.
11.Qxc3: White recaptures with the queen.
11…Rc8: The rook pins the bishop on c6 against the queen; Ne4 is just as good.
12.Ne5: The knight covers the bishop on c6.
12…Ng4: You attack the knight on e5.
13.Nxg4: White trades the knights.
13…Bxg4: You recapture with the bishop.
14.Qb4: The queen attacks the rook on f8 and eyes b7.
14…Rxc6: You win the piece back.
15.Qxb7: White takes the pawn on b7 and attacks the rook on c6.
15…Qc8: You offer the queen trade. The position is level.

Line 101: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Qb3 Bb4 9.Ne5 Qb6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Be2 Ne4 12.f3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Be7 14.c4 O-O 15.g4 g5

up to 8…Bb4 as line 100

9.Ne5: The knight centralizes. Stockfish names Bb5 as White's best move; you castle.
9…Qb6: The queen attacks b2; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bxc3.
10.Nxc6: White takes the knight on c6.
10…bxc6: You recapture with the b-pawn.
11.Be2: White develops the bishop.
11…Ne4: The knight attacks c3.
12.f3: White drives the knight away.
12…Nxc3: You trade on c3.
13.bxc3: White recaptures and attacks the bishop on b4.
13…Be7: The bishop retreats.
14.c4: White attacks in the centre.
14…O-O: You castle.
15.g4: White attacks the bishop on f5.
15…g5: A counter-attack: you attack the bishop on f4. The position is level.

Line 102: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Ne5 Nxe5 9.Bxe5 Nd7 10.Bg3 a6 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Be7 13.O-O O-O 14.Rfc1 Rc8 15.Qd1 Rc4

up to 7…e6 as line 101

8.Ne5: The knight attacks c6. You trade it – Stockfish's choice.
8…Nxe5: You trade the knights. White recaptures with the bishop.
9.Bxe5: The bishop stands on e5. With Nd7 you question it.
9…Nd7: The knight attacks the bishop on e5. Balanced.
10.Bg3: The bishop retreats to g3; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bf4.
10…a6: You take b5 away from the bishop; h5 is just as good.
11.Bd3: White offers the bishop trade.
11…Bxd3: You trade the bishops – Stockfish's choice.
12.Qxd3: White recaptures with the queen.
12…Be7: You develop the bishop.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…O-O: You castle.
14.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
14…Rc8: Your rook also goes to the c-file; Stockfish prefers Qa5.
15.Qd1: The queen retreats.
15…Rc4: The rook advances to c4. The position is level.

Line 103: 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Ne5 Nxe5 9.Bxe5 Nd7 10.Qb3 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Be7 12.Bb5 Kf8 13.Be2 Qc7 14.Nb5 Qxe5 15.Nd4 Be4

up to 9…Nd7 as line 102

10.Qb3: The queen attacks b7; according to Stockfish inaccurate – Bf4 was better. Now Black is a little better.
10…Nxe5: You take the bishop on e5 – Stockfish's choice.
11.dxe5: White recaptures.
11…Be7: You develop the bishop.
12.Bb5: White gives check.
12…Kf8: The king steps aside; this keeps b7 covered.
13.Be2: The bishop retreats.
13…Qc7: The queen attacks the pawn on e5.
14.Nb5: The knight attacks the queen.
14…Qxe5: You take the pawn on e5.
15.Nd4: The knight attacks the bishop on f5.
15…Be4: The bishop steps aside and stays active. Black is a little better.

Chapter 2: 3.Nc3

Line 104: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3

3.Nc3: White develops the queen's knight first. You answer with Nf6.
3…Nf6: The knight goes to f6. Against e3 you play the Chebanenko move a6.
4.Nf3: The main move: White develops the knight and keeps an eye on e5. The same position also arises when White moves the king's knight first – the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 105: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.O-O Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5 10.Bb2 Bd6 11.Ne5 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 Qc7 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Rc1 Qb8 15.Nxd7 Nxd7 16.e4 dxe4 17.d5 O-O

up to 3…Nf6 as line 104

4.e3: White supports d4 and shuts in his bishop on c1. With a6 you prepare …b5.
4…a6: The Chebanenko set-up: a6 prepares b5 – you gain space on the queenside.
5.Nf3: White develops. With b5 you gain space.
5…b5: The pawn attacks c4 and gains space. Stockfish also mentions e6.
6.b3: White covers c4. With Bg4 you develop your bishop in front of the pawn chain.
6…Bg4: The bishop pins the knight on f3 – it comes out before e6 shuts it in.
7.Be2: White prepares to break the pin. With e6 you build up.
7…e6: Your set-up stands: pawns on b5, c6, d5, e6, the bishop in front.
8.O-O: White castles. With Nbd7 you develop.
8…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. Against h3 your bishop steps back to h5.
9.h3: White questions the bishop. With Bh5 you keep the pin.
9…Bh5: The bishop keeps the pin – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bb2: White fianchettoes. With Bd6 you develop.
10…Bd6: The bishop aims at White's kingside.
11.Ne5: The knight attacks your bishop on h5 and offers a trade. You trade the bishops.
11…Bxe2: You trade the bishops. White recaptures with the knight.
12.Nxe2: The knight recaptures. With Qc7 you connect the rooks.
12…Qc7: The queen connects the rooks and aims at h2.
13.cxd5: White exchanges in the centre. You recapture with the c-pawn.
13…cxd5: The c-file is open. White puts his rook on it.
14.Rc1: The rook attacks your queen. With Qb8 it steps aside.
14…Qb8: The queen steps aside and still aims at h2.
15.Nxd7: White trades the knight. Stockfish recommends recapturing with the king.
15…Nxd7: You recapture with the knight. Slightly inaccurate according to Stockfish – the king would be well placed in the centre.
16.e4: White opens the centre. You castle.
16…dxe4: You take the pawn on e4; O-O is just as good.
17.d5: White pushes on and attacks e6.
17…O-O: You castle. White has some play for the pawn; the position is roughly level.

Line 106: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.O-O Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5 10.Bb2 Bd6 11.Ne5 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 Qc7 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Rc1 Qb8 15.Nc6 Qb7

up to 14…Qb8 as line 105

15.Nc6: The knight attacks the queen – Stockfish's choice.
15…Qb7: The queen steps aside and attacks the knight on c6. The position is level.

Line 107: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.O-O Nbd7 9.h3 Bh5 10.Ne5 Bxe2 11.Nxe2 dxc4 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.bxc4 Bd6 14.Qc2 O-O 15.Rd1 bxc4

up to 9…Bh5 as line 106

10.Ne5: The knight attacks your knight on d7; Stockfish prefers Bb2.
10…Bxe2: You trade the bishops – Stockfish's choice.
11.Nxe2: White recaptures with the knight.
11…dxc4: You take on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
12.Nxd7: White trades the knights.
12…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen.
13.bxc4: White recaptures on c4.
13…Bd6: You develop the bishop.
14.Qc2: The queen develops.
14…O-O: You castle.
15.Rd1: The rook lines up behind the pawn on d4.
15…bxc4: You take on c4. The position is level.

Line 108: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Bb2 Bd6 10.h3 Bh5

up to 8…Nbd7 as line 107

9.Bb2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With Bd6 you develop.
9…Bd6: The bishop aims at White's kingside.
10.h3: White questions the bishop. It steps back to f5 or h5.
10…Bh5: The bishop keeps the pin on the knight f3. According to Stockfish slightly inaccurate – Bf5 was better, because on h5 the bishop can later be harassed by g2–g4. (transposition)

Line 109: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.O-O Nbd7 9.Bb2 Bd6 10.Ne5 Bxe2 11.Nxe2 Qc7 12.Qc2 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Bxe5 14.Bxe5 Qxe5 15.cxb5 cxb5

up to 9…Bd6 as line 108

10.Ne5: The knight attacks the bishop on g4; Stockfish prefers a4.
10…Bxe2: You trade the bishops – Stockfish's choice.
11.Nxe2: White recaptures with the knight.
11…Qc7: The queen attacks the knight on e5.
12.Qc2: The queen develops.
12…Nxe5: You trade the knight.
13.dxe5: White recaptures and attacks the bishop on d6 and the knight on f6.
13…Bxe5: You take the pawn and attack the bishop on b2.
14.Bxe5: White trades the bishops.
14…Qxe5: You recapture and attack the rook on a1.
15.cxb5: White takes on b5.
15…cxb5: You recapture. The position is level.

Line 110: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.h3 Bh5 9.O-O Nbd7

up to 7…e6 as line 109

8.h3: White questions the bishop. With Bh5 you keep the pin.
8…Bh5: The bishop keeps the pin.
9.O-O: White castles. With Nbd7 you develop.
9…Nbd7: The knight comes into play – Stockfish's choice. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 111: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Be2 e6 8.h3 Bh5 9.g4 Bg6 10.Ne5 Bb4 11.Bd2 Bxc3 12.Bxc3 Ne4 13.Rc1 Qh4 14.Rh2 Nd7 15.Nxc6 Ndf6

up to 8…Bh5 as line 110

9.g4: White chases the bishop on h5; Stockfish prefers Bb2.
9…Bg6: The bishop retreats to g6 – Stockfish's choice.
10.Ne5: The knight attacks the bishop on g6.
10…Bb4: A counter-attack: you pin the knight on c3.
11.Bd2: White covers the knight.
11…Bxc3: You trade the bishop for the knight.
12.Bxc3: White recaptures.
12…Ne4: The knight attacks the bishop on c3.
13.Rc1: The rook covers the bishop.
13…Qh4: The queen attacks the pawn on f2.
14.Rh2: The rook covers f2.
14…Nd7: The knight challenges the knight on e5 and gives up c6.
15.Nxc6: White takes the pawn on c6.
15…Ndf6: The knight supports e4; you have active play for the pawn. The position is level.

Line 112: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.gxf3 Nbd7 9.f4 e6 10.c5 g6 11.Bd3 a5 12.Bb2 Ng8 13.Qd2 Ne7 14.O-O-O Bg7 15.a3 Nf5

up to 6…Bg4 as line 111

7.h3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – White questions the bishop at once. You trade on f3.
7…Bxf3: You trade and give White a doubled pawn if he recaptures with the g-pawn.
8.gxf3: White recaptures with the g-pawn: doubled pawns, but the bishop pair. With Nbd7 you develop; Stockfish prefers e6.
8…Nbd7: The knight goes to d7. According to Stockfish e6 is slightly more accurate.
9.f4: White gains space on the kingside. With e6 you build up.
9…e6: Your position is firm. White's pawns on the kingside are weakened.
10.c5: White closes the queenside. With g6 and the bishop to g7 you keep building.
10…g6: You prepare to fianchetto the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
11.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
11…a5: You gain space on the queenside.
12.Bb2: White develops the bishop.
12…Ng8: The knight reroutes via e7 to f5.
13.Qd2: The queen prepares castling long.
13…Ne7: The knight is on its way to f5.
14.O-O-O: White castles long.
14…Bg7: You fianchetto the bishop.
15.a3: White takes b4 away from the knight.
15…Nf5: The knight stands strongly on f5. White has the bishop pair and is a little better.

Line 113: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 e5 9.dxe5 Bb4 10.Bd2 Bxc3 11.Bxc3 Ne4 12.Bb4 bxc4 13.e6 fxe6 14.bxc4 Nd7 15.cxd5 cxd5

up to 7…Bxf3 as line 112

8.Qxf3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – the queen recaptures. With e6 you build up.
8…e5: You strike in the centre at once – Stockfish's choice. The pawn on e5 seems unprotected, but after the capture your bishop pins the knight on c3 from b4.
9.dxe5: White takes the pawn and attacks the knight on f6.
9…Bb4: Instead of saving the knight you pin the knight on c3 – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bd2: White covers c3 with the bishop.
10…Bxc3: You trade on c3.
11.Bxc3: White recaptures.
11…Ne4: The knight steps aside with tempo and attacks the bishop on c3.
12.Bb4: The bishop steps aside to b4 and stops you from castling.
12…bxc4: You take on c4 and restore material equality.
13.e6: An in-between move: White gives up the pawn on e6 to break up your pawns.
13…fxe6: You take – Stockfish's choice.
14.bxc4: White recaptures on c4.
14…Nd7: The knight develops.
15.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
15…cxd5: You recapture with the c-pawn and have a strong centre. The position is level.

Line 114: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 e5 9.c5 Nbd7 10.Qd1 g6 11.Bd3 Bg7 12.O-O O-O 13.b4 a5 14.bxa5 Qxa5 15.Bd2 Qa3

up to 8…e5 as line 113

9.c5: White closes the queenside; according to Stockfish a mistake – dxe5 was better. Now Black is a little better.
9…Nbd7: You develop the knight – Stockfish's choice.
10.Qd1: The queen retreats.
10…g6: You prepare the fianchetto.
11.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
11…Bg7: You fianchetto the bishop.
12.O-O: White castles.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.b4: White supports c5.
13…a5: You attack the pawn chain.
14.bxa5: White takes on a5.
14…Qxa5: You recapture with the queen and pin the knight on c3.
15.Bd2: White breaks the pin.
15…Qa3: The queen breaks into a3. Black is a little better.

Line 115: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.c5 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.b4 a5 9.bxa5 Qxa5 10.Bd2 b4 11.Ne2 Ne4 12.Bxe4 dxe4 13.Ng5 Qa4 14.Nxe4 Qxd1 15.Kxd1 Na6

up to 5…b5 as line 114

6.c5: White closes the queenside. With g6 you fianchetto – the break …e5 follows later.
6…g6: The bishop goes to g7 and supports the break …e5.
7.Bd3: White develops the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
7…Bg7: You fianchetto the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
8.b4: White supports c5; according to Stockfish inaccurate – Ne5 was better. Now Black is a little more comfortable.
8…a5: You attack the pawn chain at once with the lever – Stockfish's choice.
9.bxa5: White takes on a5.
9…Qxa5: You recapture with the queen and pin the knight on c3.
10.Bd2: White breaks the pin.
10…b4: You drive the knight away from c3.
11.Ne2: The knight retreats to e2.
11…Ne4: The knight attacks the bishop on d2.
12.Bxe4: White gives the bishop for the knight.
12…dxe4: You recapture and attack the knight on f3.
13.Ng5: The knight attacks the pawn on e4.
13…Qa4: The queen attacks the queen on d1 and offers the trade.
14.Nxe4: White takes the pawn on e4.
14…Qxd1: You trade queens with check.
15.Kxd1: The king recaptures.
15…Na6: The knight comes into play via a6. The endgame is level.

Line 116: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.c5 g6 7.Ne5 Bg7 8.Be2 O-O 9.O-O Nfd7 10.f4 Nxe5 11.fxe5 Ra7 12.h4 b4 13.Na4 f6 14.exf6 exf6 15.e4 dxe4

up to 6…g6 as line 115

7.Ne5: The knight occupies e5; Stockfish prefers Bd3.
7…Bg7: You fianchetto the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
8.Be2: According to Stockfish inaccurate – Bd3 was better.
8…O-O: You castle; according to Stockfish inaccurate – a5 was better.
9.O-O: White castles; Stockfish prefers f4.
9…Nfd7: You attack the knight on e5 – Stockfish's choice.
10.f4: White supports the knight on e5.
10…Nxe5: You trade the knights.
11.fxe5: White recaptures with the f-pawn and opens the f-file.
11…Ra7: The rook takes the second rank for defence and play on the queenside.
12.h4: White starts an attack on the kingside.
12…b4: You drive the knight away from c3.
13.Na4: The knight steps aside to a4.
13…f6: You attack the pawn on e5 and open lines for your rooks.
14.exf6: White takes on f6.
14…exf6: You recapture with the e-pawn – Stockfish's choice.
15.e4: White opens the centre.
15…dxe4: You take the pawn. The position is level.

Line 117: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.c5 g6 7.b4 a5 8.bxa5 Qxa5 9.Bd2 b4 10.Nb1 Ne4 11.a3 Nxd2 12.Nfxd2 Qc7 13.Nb3 bxa3 14.Nxa3 Qb7 15.Nc2 Rxa1

up to 6…g6 as line 116

7.b4: White supports c5; according to Stockfish inaccurate – Bd3 was better.
7…a5: You attack the pawn chain at once – Stockfish's choice.
8.bxa5: White takes on a5.
8…Qxa5: You recapture with the queen and pin the knight on c3.
9.Bd2: White breaks the pin; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bb2.
9…b4: You drive the knight away from c3.
10.Nb1: The knight retreats.
10…Ne4: The knight attacks the bishop on d2.
11.a3: White attacks the pawn on b4.
11…Nxd2: You trade the knight for the bishop.
12.Nfxd2: White recaptures.
12…Qc7: The queen retreats.
13.Nb3: The knight eyes a5.
13…bxa3: You take on a3.
14.Nxa3: White recaptures.
14…Qb7: The queen attacks the knight on b3.
15.Nc2: The knight retreats.
15…Rxa1: You trade the rooks. Black is a little more comfortable.

Line 118: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.c5 g6 7.Bd2 a5 8.Bd3 Bg7 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 Nbd7 11.e4 b4 12.e5 bxc3 13.exf6 cxd2 14.fxg7 Re8 15.Qxd2 e5

up to 6…g6 as line 117

7.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers Bd3.
7…a5: You support the pawn on b5 – Stockfish's choice.
8.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
8…Bg7: You fianchetto the bishop.
9.O-O: White castles.
9…O-O: You castle.
10.h3: White makes luft.
10…Nbd7: The knight develops.
11.e4: White attacks in the centre.
11…b4: A counter-attack: you attack the knight on c3.
12.e5: White attacks the knight on f6.
12…bxc3: You take the knight on c3.
13.exf6: White takes the knight on f6.
13…cxd2: You take the bishop on d2.
14.fxg7: White takes the bishop on g7.
14…Re8: The rook steps aside; the pawn on g7 shields your king.
15.Qxd2: White takes the pawn on d2.
15…e5: You strike in the centre. The position is level.

Line 119: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.c5 g6 7.Qb3 a5 8.Bd3 Bg7 9.O-O O-O 10.Qc2 Qc7 11.Bd2 Nbd7 12.Ne2 e5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Qxe5 15.Bc3 Qe7

up to 6…g6 as line 118

7.Qb3: The queen eyes b5; according to Stockfish inaccurate – Bd3 was better.
7…a5: You support the pawn on b5 – Stockfish's choice.
8.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
8…Bg7: You fianchetto the bishop.
9.O-O: White castles.
9…O-O: You castle.
10.Qc2: The queen eyes e4.
10…Qc7: The queen supports the advance e7–e5.
11.Bd2: White develops the bishop.
11…Nbd7: The knight develops.
12.Ne2: The knight heads for g3 or f4.
12…e5: You strike in the centre.
13.Nxe5: White takes the pawn on e5.
13…Nxe5: You recapture. The position is level.
14.dxe5: White recaptures.
14…Qxe5: You take back the pawn on e5.
15.Bc3: The bishop attacks the queen.
15…Qe7: The queen steps aside. The position is level.

Line 120: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Ne5 e6 8.Bd3 Nbd7 9.f4 Bb7 10.O-O Be7 11.Qf3 b4 12.Nd1 Ne4 13.Nf2 Ndf6 14.a4 Nxf2 15.Qxf2 Ne4

up to 5…b5 as line 119

6.cxd5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – White exchanges on d5. You recapture with the c-pawn.
6…cxd5: Symmetrical, but your pawn on b5 gains space on the queenside.
7.Ne5: The knight centralizes. With e6 you build up.
7…e6: Your bishop on f8 gets free. Stockfish also mentions Nbd7.
8.Bd3: The bishop aims at h7. With Bd6 you oppose with your bishop.
8…Nbd7: You challenge the knight on e5 – Stockfish's choice.
9.f4: White supports the knight on e5; Stockfish prefers a3.
9…Bb7: You develop the bishop to the long diagonal – Stockfish's choice.
10.O-O: White castles.
10…Be7: You develop the bishop.
11.Qf3: The queen eyes the kingside; Stockfish prefers Bd2.
11…b4: You drive the knight away from c3 – Stockfish's choice.
12.Nd1: The knight retreats to d1.
12…Ne4: The knight occupies the strong square e4.
13.Nf2: White attacks the knight on e4.
13…Ndf6: The second knight supports e4.
14.a4: White attacks the pawn on b4.
14…Nxf2: You trade the knights.
15.Qxf2: White recaptures with the queen.
15…Ne4: The knight returns to e4 and attacks the queen. Black is a little more comfortable.

Line 121: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Ne5 e6 8.Bd2 Bd6 9.Bd3 O-O 10.O-O b4 11.Na4 a5 12.Qe2 Bd7 13.Nxd7 Nbxd7 14.Rfc1 e5 15.Rc6 Qe7

up to 7…e6 as line 120

8.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bd3.
8…Bd6: The bishop eyes the knight on e5; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nbd7.
9.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
9…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
10.O-O: White castles.
10…b4: You drive the knight away from c3 – Stockfish's choice.
11.Na4: The knight steps aside to a4.
11…a5: You support the pawn on b4.
12.Qe2: The queen develops.
12…Bd7: You offer the bishop for the knight on e5 and attack the knight on a4.
13.Nxd7: White trades the knight for the bishop.
13…Nbxd7: You recapture with the knight.
14.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
14…e5: You strike in the centre – Stockfish's choice.
15.Rc6: The rook penetrates to c6 and attacks the bishop on d6.
15…Qe7: The queen covers the bishop. The position is level.

Line 122: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Bd3 e6 8.O-O Bb7 9.Ne5 Nbd7 10.a3 Bd6 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Bd2 O-O 13.Ne2 a5 14.Qe1 Bc7 15.f3 Rfc8

up to 6…cxd5 as line 121

7.Bd3: The bishop develops. With e6 you build up; Stockfish also mentions Bb7.
7…e6: Your bishop on f8 gets free. The bishop on c8 goes to b7.
8.O-O: White castles. With Bb7 you develop your bishop.
8…Bb7: You develop the bishop to the long diagonal – Stockfish's choice.
9.Ne5: The knight occupies e5.
9…Nbd7: You challenge the knight on e5.
10.a3: White takes b4 away from your pieces.
10…Bd6: You develop the bishop.
11.Nxd7: White trades the knights.
11…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen.
12.Bd2: White develops the bishop.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Ne2: The knight heads for f4.
13…a5: You prepare b5–b4.
14.Qe1: The queen covers the queenside.
14…Bc7: The bishop retreats.
15.f3: White prepares e3–e4.
15…Rfc8: The rook goes to the c-file. The position is level.

Line 123: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Bd3 e6 8.Ne5

up to 7…e6 as line 122

8.Ne5: The knight occupies e5; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bd2. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 124: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Bd2 e6 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.O-O Nc6 10.Rc1 Bd6 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nb4 13.Bxb4 Nxe4 14.Qe2 Nf6 15.Bc5 O-O

up to 6…cxd5 as line 123

7.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Ne5.
7…e6: You open the diagonal for the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's choice.
8.Bd3: White develops the bishop.
8…Bb7: You develop the bishop to the long diagonal – Stockfish's choice.
9.O-O: White castles.
9…Nc6: You develop the knight.
10.Rc1: The rook goes to the open c-file.
10…Bd6: You develop the bishop actively.
11.e4: White opens the centre.
11…dxe4: You take the pawn.
12.Nxe4: White recaptures and attacks the knight on f6 and the bishop on d6.
12…Nb4: An active counter: the knight attacks the bishop on d3.
13.Bxb4: White takes the knight.
13…Nxe4: You take back the knight on e4.
14.Qe2: The queen attacks the knight on e4.
14…Nf6: The knight retreats.
15.Bc5: The bishop offers the trade.
15…O-O: You castle. The position is level.

Line 125: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.Nf3 O-O 8.O-O Bg4 9.Ne5 Be6 10.c5 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Bd2 Bf5 13.Bxf5 Qxf5 14.Qxf5 gxf5 15.Ne2 a5

up to 4…a6 as line 124

5.Qc2: The queen controls e4. With g6 you fianchetto – Stockfish prefers e6.
5…g6: The bishop goes to g7. A quiet, solid set-up.
6.Bd3: The bishop aims at g6. With Bg7 you develop.
6…Bg7: The bishop stands on g7. You castle soon.
7.Nf3: White develops. You castle.
7…O-O: You castle. Your bishop on c8 goes to g4.
8.O-O: Both have castled. With Bg4 you pin the knight.
8…Bg4: The bishop pins the knight on f3.
9.Ne5: The knight attacks your bishop. With Be6 you step aside.
9…Be6: The bishop attacks c4. A little passive according to Stockfish, but solid.
10.c5: White closes the queenside. With Nbd7 you trade the knight on e5.
10…Nbd7: You offer the knight trade. Balanced.
11.Nxd7: White trades the knight for your knight on d7.
11…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen.
12.Bd2: White develops the bishop; according to Stockfish Na4 was just as good.
12…Bf5: You offer the bishop trade – Stockfish's choice.
13.Bxf5: White trades the bishops.
13…Qxf5: You recapture with the queen and offer the queen trade.
14.Qxf5: White trades queens.
14…gxf5: You recapture; the pawn on f5 controls e4.
15.Ne2: The knight heads for f4.
15…a5: You prepare the advance a5–a4 and gain space on the queenside. The position is nearly level.

Line 126: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.Nf3 O-O 8.O-O Bg4 9.Ne5 Be6 10.b3 c5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Nxd5 Bxd5 13.Qxc5 Bxe5 14.dxe5 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Qxd3

up to 9…Be6 as line 125

10.b3: White covers c4. For White Stockfish narrowly prefers the advance c4–c5. With c5 you strike at d4 – Stockfish's choice.
10…c5: You attack the centre – Stockfish's choice.
11.cxd5: White takes on d5 and attacks the bishop on e6; Stockfish narrowly prefers Rd1.
11…Nxd5: You recapture with the knight.
12.Nxd5: White trades the knights.
12…Bxd5: You recapture with the bishop.
13.Qxc5: White takes the pawn on c5.
13…Bxe5: You take the knight on e5.
14.dxe5: White recaptures.
14…Bxg2: You take the pawn on g2.
15.Kxg2: The king takes the bishop.
15…Qxd3: You take the bishop on d3; material is level.

Line 127: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.Nf3 O-O 8.O-O Bg4 9.Ne5 Be6 10.b3 c5 11.Ne2 Nbd7 12.Nxd7 Bxd7 13.dxc5 Qc7 14.Bb2 Qxc5 15.h3 Rfe8

up to 10…c5 as line 126

11.Ne2: The knight leaves c3; Stockfish narrowly prefers Rd1.
11…Nbd7: You challenge the knight on e5.
12.Nxd7: White trades the knights.
12…Bxd7: You recapture with the bishop.
13.dxc5: White takes on c5.
13…Qc7: The queen attacks c5 and wins the pawn back.
14.Bb2: White develops the bishop.
14…Qxc5: You win the pawn back.
15.h3: White makes luft.
15…Rfe8: The rook goes to the e-file. The position is level.

Line 128: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.Nf3 O-O 8.O-O Bg4 9.Ne5 Be6 10.Bd2 dxc4 11.Nxc4 b5 12.Ne5 c5 13.dxc5 Qc7 14.Nf3 Qxc5 15.Rac1 Nbd7

up to 9…Be6 as line 127

10.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers c5.
10…dxc4: You take on c4 – Stockfish's choice.
11.Nxc4: White recaptures with the knight; Stockfish prefers Bxc4.
11…b5: You drive the knight away from c4 – Stockfish's choice.
12.Ne5: The knight returns to e5.
12…c5: You attack the centre.
13.dxc5: White takes on c5.
13…Qc7: The queen attacks the knight on e5.
14.Nf3: The knight retreats.
14…Qxc5: You win the pawn back.
15.Rac1: The rook attacks the queen.
15…Nbd7: The knight develops. The position is level.

Line 129: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.Nf3 O-O 8.Bd2 Bg4 9.Ne5 Be6 10.c5 Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Na4 Rae8 13.Nb6 Qd8 14.Rg1 Bd7 15.f4 Kh8

up to 7…O-O as line 128

8.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers O-O.
8…Bg4: You pin the knight on f3; according to Stockfish inaccurate – dxc4 was better. White is a little better.
9.Ne5: The knight attacks the bishop on g4.
9…Be6: The bishop retreats and presses on c4; dxc4 is just as good.
10.c5: White closes the queenside and gains space.
10…Nbd7: You challenge the knight on e5.
11.Nxd7: White trades the knights.
11…Qxd7: You recapture with the queen.
12.Na4: The knight aims at b6.
12…Rae8: The rook prepares the advance e7–e5.
13.Nb6: The knight attacks the queen.
13…Qd8: The queen retreats.
14.Rg1: White keeps the king in the centre and prepares g2–g4.
14…Bd7: The bishop retreats to d7.
15.f4: White takes e5 away from you.
15…Kh8: The king steps off the bishop's diagonal. White has more space and is a little better.

Line 130: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Nf3 Bg7 7.Bd3

up to 5…g6 as line 129

6.Nf3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – Bd3 was more precise. With Bg7 you develop; Stockfish prefers Bf5.
6…Bg7: The bishop stands on g7. You castle soon.
7.Bd3: White puts the bishop on the diagonal towards h7 – Stockfish's choice. Next you bring your king to safety by castling. (transposition)

Line 131: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Nf3 Bg7 7.Bd2 O-O 8.Rc1 b5 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.Ne5 Nfd7 11.f4 Nxe5 12.fxe5 Nc6 13.Be2 Bf5 14.Qd1 f6 15.exf6 Rxf6

up to 6…Bg7 as line 130

7.Bd2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish prefers Bd3.
7…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
8.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bd3.
8…b5: You gain space on the queenside – Stockfish's choice.
9.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
9…cxd5: You recapture.
10.Ne5: The knight occupies e5.
10…Nfd7: You challenge the knight on e5.
11.f4: White supports the knight.
11…Nxe5: You trade the knight.
12.fxe5: White recaptures with the f-pawn.
12…Nc6: You develop the knight and attack e5.
13.Be2: White develops the bishop.
13…Bf5: The bishop attacks the queen.
14.Qd1: The queen retreats.
14…f6: You attack the pawn on e5 and open the f-file.
15.exf6: White takes on f6.
15…Rxf6: You recapture with the rook; it stands actively on the f-file. The position is level.

Line 132: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Bd3 b5 6.b3 Bg4 7.Nge2 e6 8.Qc2 Bh5 9.Nf4 Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.c5 a5 12.O-O Be7 13.f4 Nbd7 14.Qe2 b4 15.Nd1 Ne4

up to 4…a6 as line 131

5.Bd3: The bishop develops. With b5 you gain space; Stockfish prefers dxc4.
5…b5: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – after dxc4 you would gain time against the bishop.
6.b3: White covers c4. With Bg4 you develop the bishop; Stockfish prefers g6.
6…Bg4: The bishop comes out. Slightly inaccurate according to Stockfish.
7.Nge2: The knight goes to e2. With e6 you build up.
7…e6: Your set-up stands. Stockfish also mentions Nbd7.
8.Qc2: The queen develops; Stockfish prefers f3.
8…Bh5: The bishop retreats to h5; Stockfish prefers Nbd7. White is a little better.
9.Nf4: The knight attacks the bishop on h5.
9…Bg6: You offer the bishop trade – Stockfish's choice.
10.Nxg6: White takes the bishop; Stockfish prefers c5.
10…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file.
11.c5: White closes the queenside and gains space.
11…a5: You prepare the advance b5–b4.
12.O-O: White castles.
12…Be7: You develop the bishop.
13.f4: White gains space on the kingside.
13…Nbd7: The knight comes into play.
14.Qe2: The queen connects the rooks.
14…b4: You drive the knight away from c3 – Stockfish's choice.
15.Nd1: The knight retreats to d1.
15…Ne4: The knight occupies the strong square e4. White has a little more space, but you are active.

Line 133: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Bd3 b5 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Nf3

up to 5…b5 as line 132

6.cxd5: White trades in the centre; according to Stockfish inaccurate – c5 was better.
6…cxd5: You recapture – Stockfish's choice.
7.Nf3: White develops the knight. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 134: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.a4 e6 6.Nf3 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Be2 Nc6 9.O-O Bd6 10.b3 O-O 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.Bb2 Re8 13.Qc2 Nb4 14.Qd1 Bf5 15.Na2 Bc2

up to 4…a6 as line 133

5.a4: White stops b5. With e6 and c5 you play in the centre.
5…e6: The e-pawn opens the bishop on f8. Now c5 is your break.
6.Nf3: White develops. With c5 you strike at the centre.
6…c5: The break – after a2–a4 White lacks the square b4 for his pieces.
7.cxd5: White exchanges. You recapture with the e-pawn and open your bishop on c8.
7…exd5: Your bishop on c8 is free. With Bg4 or Nc6 you develop actively.
8.Be2: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With Nc6 you develop.
8…Nc6: You develop the knight and increase the pressure on d4 – Stockfish's choice.
9.O-O: White castles.
9…Bd6: The bishop develops actively – Stockfish's choice.
10.b3: White prepares to develop the bishop to b2; according to Stockfish dxc5 was more precise.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
11.dxc5: White takes on c5 and leaves you an isolated pawn on d5.
11…Bxc5: You recapture with the bishop; the isolated pawn gives you active piece play.
12.Bb2: The bishop aims along the long diagonal.
12…Re8: The rook goes to the half-open e-file.
13.Qc2: The queen develops.
13…Nb4: The knight attacks the queen.
14.Qd1: The queen retreats.
14…Bf5: The bishop develops and controls c2.
15.Na2: White attacks the knight on b4.
15…Bc2: An active in-between move: the bishop attacks the queen. The position is level, your pieces are active.

Line 135: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.a4 e6 6.Nf3 c5 7.Be2 Nc6 8.O-O Be7 9.b3 O-O 10.dxc5 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Bxc5 13.Bb2 Be7 14.Be2 Rb8 15.Rab1 Rd8

up to 6…c5 as line 134

7.Be2: White develops the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bd3.
7…Nc6: You develop the knight – Stockfish's choice.
8.O-O: White castles.
8…Be7: You develop the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bd6.
9.b3: White supports c4; Stockfish prefers dxc5.
9…O-O: You castle.
10.dxc5: White takes on c5.
10…dxc4: You take on c4.
11.Bxc4: White recaptures.
11…Qxd1: You trade queens.
12.Rxd1: White recaptures.
12…Bxc5: You win the pawn back.
13.Bb2: White develops the bishop.
13…Be7: The bishop retreats.
14.Be2: The bishop retreats.
14…Rb8: The rook prepares the advance b7–b5.
15.Rab1: The rook lines up opposite.
15…Rd8: You offer the rook trade on the d-file. The endgame is level.

Line 136: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.a4 e6 6.Nf3 c5 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.O-O Be7 9.cxd5 exd5 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.h3 O-O 12.Ne2 Ne4 13.Nf4 Re8 14.b3 Bf5 15.Bb2 Qd6

up to 6…c5 as line 135

7.Bd3: White develops the bishop – Stockfish's choice.
7…Nc6: You develop the knight; dxc4 is just as good.
8.O-O: White castles.
8…Be7: You develop the bishop; Stockfish prefers dxc4.
9.cxd5: White trades in the centre.
9…exd5: You recapture with the e-pawn.
10.dxc5: White takes on c5; your pawn on d5 becomes an isolated pawn.
10…Bxc5: You recapture with the bishop.
11.h3: White takes g4 away from the bishop.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.Ne2: The knight heads for d4 or f4.
12…Ne4: The knight occupies e4.
13.Nf4: The knight presses on d5.
13…Re8: The rook goes to the e-file.
14.b3: White prepares to develop the bishop.
14…Bf5: You develop the bishop.
15.Bb2: White develops the bishop.
15…Qd6: The queen attacks the knight on f4. Your active play makes up for the isolated pawn.

Line 137: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.O-O Be7 10.Rc1 O-O 11.Na4 Nd7 12.a3 Bh5 13.Bg3 Bh4 14.Qb3 Bxe2 15.Bxh4 Qxh4

up to 3…Nf6 as line 136

4.cxd5: White exchanges on d5. You recapture with the c-pawn.
4…cxd5: Symmetrical. With Nc6 you develop.
5.Bf4: The bishop goes to f4. With Nc6 you follow.
5…Nc6: The knight controls e5 and d4.
6.e3: White opens his bishop on f1. With a6 you take b5 away from bishop and knight.
6…a6: The pawn takes b5 away from White. Stockfish also mentions Bf5 at once.
7.Bd3: The bishop aims at h7. With Bg4 you develop your bishop.
7…Bg4: The bishop comes out before e6 shuts it in.
8.Nge2: The knight goes to e2. With e6 you build up.
8…e6: Your set-up stands. With Bd6 you offer the bishop trade.
9.O-O: White castles. With Be7 you develop; Stockfish mentions Bd6.
9…Be7: The bishop goes to e7. You castle next.
10.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file. You castle.
10…O-O: Both have castled. Your rook follows to the c-file.
11.Na4: The knight aims at c5. With Rc8 you hold the c-file.
11…Nd7: The knight makes room for the bishop on e7; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nh5, which chases the bishop on f4.
12.a3: White takes b4 away from the knight.
12…Bh5: The bishop retreats to h5 – Stockfish's choice.
13.Bg3: The bishop retreats to g3.
13…Bh4: You offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
14.Qb3: The queen attacks b7.
14…Bxe2: First you trade on e2 – Stockfish's choice.
15.Bxh4: White takes the bishop on h4.
15…Qxh4: You recapture with the queen; the bishop on e2 is still attacked. The position is level.

Line 138: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.O-O Be7 10.Rc1 O-O 11.a3 Rc8 12.Na4 Nd7 13.b4 e5 14.dxe5 Ncxe5 15.Rxc8 Qxc8

up to 10…O-O as line 137

11.a3: White takes b4 away from the knight; Stockfish narrowly prefers h3.
11…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file – Stockfish's choice.
12.Na4: The knight aims at c5; Stockfish narrowly prefers b4.
12…Nd7: The knight prepares the advance e6–e5; Stockfish prefers Nh5.
13.b4: White gains space on the queenside.
13…e5: You strike in the centre – Stockfish's choice.
14.dxe5: White takes on e5.
14…Ncxe5: You recapture with the knight; it stands strongly in the centre.
15.Rxc8: White trades the rooks.
15…Qxc8: You recapture with the queen. The position is level.

Line 139: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.O-O Be7 10.Rc1 O-O 11.f3 Bh5 12.Na4 Nd7 13.Qb3 Ra7 14.Bg3 Bg6 15.Nf4 Qa8

up to 10…O-O as line 138

11.f3: White questions the bishop on g4; Stockfish prefers h3.
11…Bh5: The bishop retreats – Stockfish's choice.
12.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
12…Nd7: The knight covers c5; Stockfish prefers Bg6.
13.Qb3: The queen attacks b7.
13…Ra7: The rook covers b7.
14.Bg3: The bishop retreats.
14…Bg6: You offer the bishop trade.
15.Nf4: The knight attacks the bishop on g6.
15…Qa8: The queen covers b7 and frees the rook. The position is level.

Line 140: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.O-O Be7 10.Rc1 O-O 11.f3 Bh5 12.Bg3 Bg6 13.Nf4 Rc8 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.a3 Na5

up to 11…Bh5 as line 139

12.Bg3: The bishop retreats; Stockfish prefers Na4.
12…Bg6: You offer the bishop trade – Stockfish's choice.
13.Nf4: The knight attacks the bishop on g6.
13…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file.
14.Nxg6: White takes the bishop.
14…hxg6: You recapture and open the h-file.
15.a3: White takes b4 away from the knight.
15…Na5: The knight aims at c4. The position is level.

Line 141: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.O-O Be7 10.a3 O-O 11.b4 Bd6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.h3 Bxe2 14.Qxe2 a5 15.Nb5 Qe7

up to 9…Be7 as line 140

10.a3: White takes b4 away from the knight; Stockfish prefers Qb3.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
11.b4: White gains space on the queenside; Stockfish narrowly prefers Rc1.
11…Bd6: You offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
12.Bxd6: White trades the bishops.
12…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
13.h3: White questions the bishop on g4.
13…Bxe2: You trade the bishop for the knight.
14.Qxe2: White recaptures with the queen.
14…a5: You attack the pawn on b4.
15.Nb5: The knight attacks the queen.
15…Qe7: The queen steps aside. The position is level.

Line 142: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.O-O Be7 10.f3 Bh5 11.Rc1 O-O

up to 9…Be7 as line 141

10.f3: White questions the bishop on g4; Stockfish prefers Qb3.
10…Bh5: The bishop retreats – Stockfish's choice.
11.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file; Bg3 is just as good.
11…O-O: You castle; Bg6 is just as good. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 143: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.Rc1 Bd6 10.f3 Bh5 11.O-O Bg6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Nf4 Bxd3 14.Nxd3 O-O 15.Na4 Rab8

up to 8…e6 as line 142

9.Rc1: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With Bd6 you offer the bishop trade.
9…Bd6: The bishop opposes the bishop on f4.
10.f3: White attacks the bishop on g4 and prepares e3–e4; Stockfish prefers Bxd6.
10…Bh5: The bishop steps aside to h5 – Stockfish's choice.
11.O-O: White castles; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bxd6.
11…Bg6: The bishop steps back to g6 and offers a trade. Balanced.
12.Bxd6: White trades the dark-squared bishops – Stockfish's choice.
12…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
13.Nf4: The knight attacks the bishop on g6.
13…Bxd3: You trade the bishops; castling O-O is just as good.
14.Nxd3: White recaptures with the knight.
14…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
15.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
15…Rab8: The rook prepares the advance b7–b5. The position is level.

Line 144: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.Rc1 Bd6 10.f3 Bh5 11.O-O Bg6 12.Na4 O-O 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Nf4 Rfe8 15.Qd2 Bxd3

up to 11…Bg6 as line 143

12.Na4: The knight aims at c5; Bxd6 is just as good.
12…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
13.Bxd6: White trades the bishops.
13…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
14.Nf4: The knight attacks the bishop on g6.
14…Rfe8: The rook prepares the advance e6–e5.
15.Qd2: The queen develops.
15…Bxd3: You trade the bishops. The position is level.

Line 145: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.Nge2 e6 9.Qb3 Na5 10.Qa4 Nc6 11.Qb3

up to 8…e6 as line 144

9.Qb3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – the queen attacks b7. With Na5 you step aside with tempo.
9…Na5: The knight attacks the queen. Stockfish also mentions the trade on e2.
10.Qa4: The queen gives check on the diagonal to e8. You block with the knight on c6.
10…Nc6: The knight returns; according to Stockfish b5 is just as good.
11.Qb3: The queen returns to b3; Stockfish prefers O-O. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 146: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.f3 Bh5 9.Nge2 e6 10.O-O Be7

up to 7…Bg4 as line 145

8.f3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish – the pawn weakens e3. With Bh5 you keep the bishop active.
8…Bh5: The bishop stays on the diagonal.
9.Nge2: Stockfish narrowly prefers Qb3. With e6 you build up; Bg6 is just as good.
9…e6: Your set-up stands. According to Stockfish Bg6 is slightly more accurate.
10.O-O: White castles; Stockfish prefers Qb3.
10…Be7: You develop the bishop; Stockfish prefers Bg6. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 147: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.f3 Bh5 9.Nge2 e6 10.Rc1 Be7 11.O-O

up to 9…e6 as line 146

10.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file; Qb3 is just as good.
10…Be7: You develop the bishop; Bg6 is just as good.
11.O-O: White castles. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 148: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Bd3 Bg4 8.f3 Bh5 9.Qb3 Na5 10.Qa4 Nc6 11.Qb3

up to 8…Bh5 as line 147

9.Qb3: The queen attacks b7 – Stockfish's choice.
9…Na5: The knight attacks the queen – Stockfish's choice.
10.Qa4: The queen gives check and attacks the knight on a5.
10…Nc6: The knight returns to c6.
11.Qb3: The queen returns – the moves repeat. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 149: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Be2 e6 9.O-O Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.Rc1 O-O 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Rfc8 14.Qd2 Qb4 15.a3 Qb3

up to 6…a6 as line 148

7.Nf3: Inaccurate according to Stockfish. With Bg4 you pin the knight.
7…Bg4: The bishop pins the knight on f3.
8.Be2: White prepares to break the pin. With e6 you build up.
8…e6: Your set-up stands. With Bd6 you offer the bishop trade.
9.O-O: White castles. With Bd6 you oppose with your bishop.
9…Bd6: The bishop opposes the bishop on f4.
10.Bxd6: White trades. You recapture with the queen.
10…Qxd6: The queen stands centrally. Balanced – you castle soon.
11.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file – Stockfish's choice.
11…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
12.h3: White questions the bishop on g4; Stockfish narrowly prefers Na4.
12…Bxf3: You trade the bishop for the knight – Stockfish's choice.
13.Bxf3: White recaptures with the bishop.
13…Rfc8: The rook goes to the c-file – Stockfish's choice.
14.Qd2: The queen develops.
14…Qb4: The queen attacks the knight on c3 and offers the trade.
15.a3: White drives the queen away.
15…Qb3: The queen enters b3 and attacks b2. The position is level.

Line 150: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Be2 e6 9.O-O Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.Nd2 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 O-O 13.Rfc1 Rfc8 14.Qd1 Rc7 15.Na4 Rac8

up to 10…Qxd6 as line 149

11.Nd2: The knight retreats; Stockfish prefers Rc1.
11…Bxe2: You trade the bishops – Stockfish's choice.
12.Qxe2: White recaptures with the queen.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
13…Rfc8: Your rook also goes to the c-file.
14.Qd1: The queen retreats.
14…Rc7: The rook prepares doubling.
15.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
15…Rac8: You double the rooks. The position is level.

Line 151: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Be2 e6 9.O-O Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3

up to 10…Qxd6 as line 150

11.h3: White questions the bishop on g4; Stockfish narrowly prefers Rc1.
11…Bxf3: You trade the bishop for the knight – Stockfish's choice.
12.Bxf3: White recaptures. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 152: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Be2 e6 9.O-O Bd6 10.Bg3 Bxg3 11.hxg3 O-O 12.Na4 Rc8 13.Nc5 Qe7 14.Rc1 h5 15.Qb3 Rc7

up to 9…Bd6 as line 151

10.Bg3: The bishop avoids the trade; Stockfish prefers Bxd6.
10…Bxg3: You trade the bishops – Stockfish's choice.
11.hxg3: White recaptures and opens the h-file.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
12…Rc8: The rook goes to the c-file.
13.Nc5: The knight occupies c5.
13…Qe7: The queen attacks the knight on c5.
14.Rc1: The rook covers the knight.
14…h5: You gain space on the kingside.
15.Qb3: The queen attacks b7.
15…Rc7: The rook covers b7. The position is level.

Line 153: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Be2 e6 9.O-O Bd6 10.Ne5 Bxe2 11.Nxe2 Bxe5 12.Bxe5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nd7 14.f4 Qb6 15.Nd4 O-O

up to 9…Bd6 as line 152

10.Ne5: The knight attacks the bishop on g4; Stockfish prefers Bxd6.
10…Bxe2: You trade the bishops; Bxe5 is just as good.
11.Nxe2: White recaptures with the knight.
11…Bxe5: You take the knight on e5.
12.Bxe5: White recaptures with the bishop.
12…Nxe5: You take the bishop on e5.
13.dxe5: White recaptures and attacks the knight on f6.
13…Nd7: The knight steps aside and attacks e5.
14.f4: White covers e5.
14…Qb6: The queen attacks b2.
15.Nd4: The knight occupies d4.
15…O-O: You castle. The position is level.

Line 154: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Be2 e6 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Bd6 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.O-O O-O 13.Rc1

up to 8…e6 as line 153

9.h3: White questions the bishop. You trade on f3.
9…Bxf3: You trade the bishop for the knight.
10.Bxf3: White has the bishop pair. With Bd6 you offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
10…Bd6: You offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops – Stockfish's choice.
11.Bxd6: White trades the bishops.
11…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
12.O-O: White castles.
12…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
13.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file; according to Stockfish Na4 is just as good. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 155: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Be2 e6 9.Ne5 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Rc8 11.O-O Be7 12.Rfc1 O-O 13.Nd3 Nb4 14.Ne5 Nc6

up to 8…e6 as line 154

9.Ne5: The knight attacks your bishop. You trade on e2.
9…Bxe2: You trade the bishops. White recaptures with the queen.
10.Qxe2: The queen recaptures. With Rc8 you put the rook on the c-file.
10…Rc8: The rook goes to the open c-file – Stockfish's choice.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…Be7: You develop the bishop.
12.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nd3.
12…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
13.Nd3: The knight retreats to d3.
13…Nb4: The knight attacks the knight on d3.
14.Ne5: The knight returns to e5.
14…Nc6: The knight returns to c6. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 156: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 e6 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4 Be7 13.O-O O-O 14.Rfc1 Rc8 15.Qd1 Ne8

up to 7…Bg4 as line 155

8.h3: White questions the bishop at once. You trade on f3.
8…Bxf3: You trade the bishop for the knight.
9.Qxf3: The queen recaptures. With e6 you build up.
9…e6: Your set-up stands. You continue with Bd6 or Nb4.
10.Bd3: The bishop develops. With Bd6 you offer the bishop trade.
10…Bd6: The bishop opposes the bishop on f4.
11.Bg5: The bishop avoids the trade and pins your knight. You castle.
11…h6: You question the bishop on g5 – Stockfish's choice.
12.Bh4: The bishop retreats and keeps the pin.
12…Be7: You break the pin; castling O-O is just as good.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…O-O: You castle; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nb4.
14.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
14…Rc8: Your rook also goes to the c-file.
15.Qd1: The queen retreats.
15…Ne8: The knight escapes the pin and heads for d6. The position is level.

Line 157: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 e6 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qxf6 gxf6 14.Ke2 Ke7 15.g3 Nb4

up to 11…h6 as line 156

12.Bxf6: White takes the knight on f6; Stockfish prefers Bh4.
12…Qxf6: You recapture with the queen – Stockfish's choice.
13.Qxf6: White trades queens.
13…gxf6: You recapture; the doubled pawn supports the centre.
14.Ke2: The king goes to the centre in the endgame.
14…Ke7: Your king also goes to the centre.
15.g3: White takes f4 away from the bishop.
15…Nb4: The knight attacks the bishop on d3. The endgame is level.

Line 158: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 e6 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.O-O O-O 13.Rac1 Rac8 14.a3 Rc7 15.Na4 Rfc8

up to 10…Bd6 as line 157

11.Bxd6: White trades the bishops; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bg5.
11…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
12.O-O: White castles.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Rac1: The rook goes to the c-file.
13…Rac8: Your rook also goes to the c-file.
14.a3: White takes b4 away from the knight.
14…Rc7: The rook prepares doubling.
15.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
15…Rfc8: You double the rooks on the c-file. The position is level.

Line 159: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 e6 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.O-O h6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Rac1 O-O 14.Na4 Rfc8 15.Qe2 Nd7

up to 10…Bd6 as line 158

11.O-O: White castles; Bg5 is just as good.
11…h6: You make luft for your king.
12.Bxd6: White trades the bishops.
12…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
13.Rac1: The rook goes to the c-file.
13…O-O: You castle. The position is level.
14.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
14…Rfc8: The rook goes to the c-file.
15.Qe2: The queen develops.
15…Nd7: The knight heads for b6. The position is level.

Line 160: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Bd3 e6 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3

up to 7…Bg4 as line 159

8.Bd3: The bishop develops. With e6 you build up.
8…e6: Your set-up stands. Against h3 your bishop steps back to h5.
9.h3: White questions the bishop. With Bh5 you keep the pin.
9…Bxf3: You trade the bishop for the knight; Stockfish narrowly prefers Bh5.
10.Qxf3: White recaptures with the queen. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 161: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Bd3 e6 9.O-O Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.h3 Bh5 12.Na4 O-O 13.Be2 Rab8 14.Nc5 Rfc8 15.Rc1 Qd8

up to 8…e6 as line 160

9.O-O: White castles; Stockfish narrowly prefers h3.
9…Bd6: You offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bxd6: White trades the bishops.
10…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
11.h3: White questions the bishop on g4.
11…Bh5: The bishop retreats and keeps the pin.
12.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
12…O-O: You castle.
13.Be2: White faces the bishop on h5.
13…Rab8: The rook prepares the advance b7–b5.
14.Nc5: The knight occupies c5.
14…Rfc8: The second rook goes to the c-file.
15.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
15…Qd8: The queen retreats. The position is level.

Line 162: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Bd3 e6 9.Qb3 Bxf3 10.gxf3 Bd6 11.Bg3 O-O 12.Rc1 Rc8 13.O-O Na5 14.Qd1 Qd7 15.Qa4 Nc6

up to 8…e6 as line 161

9.Qb3: The queen attacks b7; h3 is just as good.
9…Bxf3: You trade the bishop for the knight – Stockfish's choice.
10.gxf3: White recaptures with the g-pawn.
10…Bd6: You offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops.
11.Bg3: The bishop avoids the trade.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
12…Rc8: Your rook also goes to the c-file.
13.O-O: White castles.
13…Na5: The knight attacks the queen.
14.Qd1: The queen retreats.
14…Qd7: The queen develops.
15.Qa4: The queen offers the trade and attacks a5.
15…Nc6: The knight returns to c6. The position is level.

Line 163: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Bd3 e6 9.Rc1 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Na4 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Be2 Rfe8 15.Rc2 Bxf3

up to 8…e6 as line 162

9.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file; Stockfish narrowly prefers h3.
9…Bd6: You offer the trade of the dark-squared bishops – Stockfish's choice.
10.Bxd6: White trades the bishops.
10…Qxd6: You recapture with the queen.
11.O-O: White castles.
11…O-O: You castle.
12.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
12…e5: You strike in the centre.
13.dxe5: White takes on e5.
13…Nxe5: You recapture with the knight.
14.Be2: The bishop retreats.
14…Rfe8: The rook goes to the e-file.
15.Rc2: The rook covers the second rank.
15…Bxf3: You trade on f3. The position is level.

Line 164: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Rc1 Bg4 8.f3 Bh5 9.h4 Bg6 10.Na4 e6 11.Qb3 Ra7 12.Qb6 Qxb6 13.Nxb6 Bb4 14.Kf2 Ke7 15.Ne2 Bd2

up to 6…a6 as line 163

7.Rc1: The rook goes to the c-file. With Bg4 you develop your bishop; Stockfish mentions Bf5.
7…Bg4: The bishop comes out. Balanced.
8.f3: White attacks the bishop on g4; Stockfish prefers Nf3.
8…Bh5: The bishop steps aside to h5 – Stockfish's choice.
9.h4: White threatens g2–g4 to trap the bishop.
9…Bg6: The bishop retreats to g6.
10.Na4: The knight aims at b6 and c5.
10…e6: You open the diagonal for the bishop on f8.
11.Qb3: The queen attacks b7.
11…Ra7: The rook covers b7 from the side.
12.Qb6: The queen penetrates to b6 and offers the trade.
12…Qxb6: You trade queens.
13.Nxb6: White recaptures with the knight.
13…Bb4: You give check and bring the bishop into play.
14.Kf2: The king steps aside.
14…Ke7: Your king comes to the centre.
15.Ne2: The knight develops.
15…Bd2: The bishop attacks the rook on c1. White is a little better, but the endgame is holdable.

Line 165: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Be2 Bf5 8.Nf3 e6 9.O-O Be7 10.Rc1 O-O 11.Nh4 Be4 12.Nf3 Bg6 13.h3 Rc8 14.Na4 Nb4 15.Rxc8 Qxc8

up to 6…a6 as line 164

7.Be2: White develops the bishop – only just behind Stockfish's Bd3. With Bf5 you develop your bishop, Stockfish's choice.
7…Bf5: You develop the bishop actively to f5 – Stockfish's choice.
8.Nf3: White develops the knight – Stockfish's choice.
8…e6: Your set-up stands: symmetrical and solid.
9.O-O: White castles; Stockfish prefers Qb3, which attacks b7 at once.
9…Be7: You develop the bishop and prepare to castle – Stockfish's choice.
10.Rc1: The rook goes to the open c-file.
10…O-O: You castle – Stockfish's choice.
11.Nh4: The knight attacks the bishop on f5.
11…Be4: The bishop steps aside to e4 and stays active – Stockfish's choice.
12.Nf3: The knight returns.
12…Bg6: The bishop retreats to g6 – Stockfish's choice.
13.h3: White makes luft for the king.
13…Rc8: The rook confronts White's rook on the c-file.
14.Na4: The knight aims at c5.
14…Nb4: The knight aims at c2 and d3 – Stockfish's choice.
15.Rxc8: White trades the rooks.
15…Qxc8: You recapture with the queen and hold the c-file. The position is level.

Line 166: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Be2 Bf5 8.Nf3 e6 9.Qb3 Nh5 10.Be5 Na5 11.Qa4 Nc6 12.Qb3

up to 8…e6 as line 165

9.Qb3: The queen attacks b7 – Stockfish's choice.
9…Nh5: A counter-attack: the knight attacks the bishop on f4.
10.Be5: The bishop steps aside.
10…Na5: The knight attacks the queen.
11.Qa4: The queen gives check and attacks the knight on a5.
11…Nc6: The knight returns to c6.
12.Qb3: The queen returns – the moves repeat. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 167: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.e3 a6 7.Be2 Bf5 8.g4 Be4 9.f3 Bg6 10.Qb3 Na5 11.Qa4 Nc6 12.Qb3

up to 7…Bf5 as line 166

8.g4: White chases the bishop on f5; Stockfish prefers Nf3.
8…Be4: The bishop steps aside and attacks the rook on h1.
9.f3: White drives the bishop away.
9…Bg6: The bishop retreats; the pawn on e3 is now weakened.
10.Qb3: The queen attacks b7.
10…Na5: The knight attacks the queen.
11.Qa4: The queen gives check and attacks the knight on a5.
11…Nc6: The knight returns to c6.
12.Qb3: The queen returns – the moves repeat. The same position also arises via another move order; the course goes on there. (transposition)

Line 168: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Bf4 Nc6 6.Nf3

up to 5…Nc6 as line 167

6.Nf3: White develops the knight; according to Stockfish e3 is a little more precise. The same position also arises via other move orders of the Exchange line. (transposition)

Line 169: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nf3

up to 4…cxd5 as line 168

5.Nf3: White develops the knight; Stockfish prefers the active Bf4. With Nc6 you reach the familiar paths of the Exchange line. (transposition)

Chapter 3: 3.cxd5

Line 170: 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Nc3 Nf6

3.cxd5: The Exchange Slav at once: White makes the position symmetrical. You recapture with the c-pawn.
3…cxd5: Symmetrical. With Nf6 and Nc6 you develop.
4.Nc3: White develops the knight. With Nf6 you follow – the position goes into the chapters above.
4…Nf6: You develop the knight and cover d5 – Stockfish's choice. You already know the position from the Exchange line in which White first puts the knight on c3 and then trades. (transposition)

Line 171: 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Nf3 Nf6

up to 3…cxd5 as line 170

4.Nf3: White develops the knight. With Nf6 you follow.
4…Nf6: The knight develops and covers d5. According to Stockfish a6 is just as good. (transposition)

Line 172: 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.e3 Nf6 6.Nc3

up to 3…cxd5 as line 171

4.Bf4: The bishop goes to f4 at once. With Nc6 you develop.
4…Nc6: The knight controls e5 and d4.
5.e3: White opens his bishop. With Nf6 you develop.
5…Nf6: The knight goes to f6. Your bishop follows with Bf5.
6.Nc3: White develops the last knight – Stockfish's choice. The position also arises in the Exchange line with 4.Nc3. (transposition)

Line 173: 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.e3 Nf6 6.Bd3 Bg4 7.Ne2 e6 8.Qb3 Qd7 9.Nbc3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Rfc1 Rfc8 12.Bg5 Na5 13.Qc2 h6 14.Bf4 Nc6 15.Qd2 Nb4

up to 5…Nf6 as line 172

6.Bd3: White develops the bishop; Stockfish narrowly prefers Nc3.
6…Bg4: You pin the knight to the queen – Stockfish's choice.
7.Ne2: The knight goes to e2; Stockfish prefers f3.
7…e6: You open the way for the bishop on f8 – Stockfish's choice.
8.Qb3: The queen attacks b7.
8…Qd7: The queen covers b7 and connects the pieces.
9.Nbc3: White develops the second knight.
9…Be7: You develop the bishop.
10.O-O: White castles.
10…O-O: You castle.
11.Rfc1: The rook goes to the c-file.
11…Rfc8: Your rook also goes to the c-file.
12.Bg5: The bishop attacks the knight on f6.
12…Na5: The knight attacks the queen – Stockfish's choice.
13.Qc2: The queen steps aside.
13…h6: You question the bishop on g5.
14.Bf4: The bishop retreats.
14…Nc6: The knight returns.
15.Qd2: The queen steps aside.
15…Nb4: The knight attacks the bishop on d3. The position is level.

Line 174: 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bf4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6

up to 4…Nc6 as line 173

5.Nc3: White develops the knight. With Nf6 you follow.
5…Nf6: You develop the king's knight – Stockfish's choice. After 6.e3 you are back in the main line of the Exchange variation. (transposition)