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Train this openingAbout this opening
Black pins the knight that guards e4, and the whole opening is a negotiation about that pin. If you break it by allowing the trade, you get the bishop pair and doubled pawns on the c-file. If you avoid the trade, you spend time. Bd2 is the most played move here, unpinning immediately, though the score suggests it concedes too much: it puts the bishop on a passive square and Black is comfortable. Qc2 avoids the doubled pawns properly and is the more testing choice. e3 is solid and simply gets on with development, accepting the structure that follows.
Plans
- Play Qc2 to recapture on c3 with the queen and avoid doubled pawns.
- Play e3 and develop quickly, accepting the structure.
- Play a3 to force the issue and take the bishop pair.
- Aim for e4 once the pin is resolved in your favor.
Where the pieces belong
- Queen: c2, ready to recapture without doubling pawns
- Pawn: e3, quick development and a solid center
- Bishop: d3, aiming at the kingside once you play e4
- Knight: f3 or e2, depending on whether you want e4
- Pawn: e4, the space advantage the bishop pair supports
You often get the bishop pair and doubled c-pawns. Open the position to make the bishops count, because in a closed game the doubled pawns matter more than the pair.