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Train this openingAbout this opening
Black plays a waiting move that keeps several defenses available, and can transpose into the French, the Queen's Gambit Declined or a Dutch depending on what you do next. That flexibility is the point, but it also concedes the center for a move. e4 is the most played move here. It takes the full center immediately and often transposes into a French with Black already committed. c4 is the other main choice, heading for the Queen's Gambit. Both score well, and the reason is simple: Black has not contested the center yet, so grabbing it while the chance exists is the whole story.
- Play e4 to take the full center and invite a French structure.
- Play c4 to steer toward the Queen's Gambit instead.
- Develop Nf3 and Nc3 before deciding on your pawn structure.
- Punish the waiting move by claiming space before Black commits.
- Pawn: e4, the second center pawn taken for free
- Pawn: d4, already staking out the center
- Knight: c3, holding e4
- Bishop: d3, aiming across the board once the center locks
- Knight: f3, covering e5
Usually a French or a Queen's Gambit by transposition. Judge it by the structure that appears rather than by the opening name, because the plans belong to the structure.