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\title{The Closed Queen's-Pawn Openings at Junior Level}

\author{Dr. Dave}

\maketitle
\tableofcontents





\chapter{For starters}


Most people suggest that beginning chessplayers should play\protect\begin{chess} 1. e2-e4\protect\end{chess} and aim for a open, attacking style of game.


Some players may like to try\protect\begin{chess} 
1. d2-d4\protect\end{chess}.

  I wrote this piece after I watched 3 out of 4 boards at a match open with\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4,\protect\end{chess} and in my opinion, played it poorly.


Why might you want to play\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4?\protect\end{chess}


\begin{itemize}
\item because you are curious
\item because it seems safer and more solid than\protect\begin{chess}
    1. e2-e4\protect\end{chess}
\item because people won't expect it
\item because I told you not to...
\end{itemize}

Let's look at it more seriously then, and see what we think.





\section{How many people play\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4\protect\end{chess} (stodgily)}



After\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4,\protect\end{chess} how should you
place your pieces?  One system of development that looks quite
reasonable starts with the Bishops: your Queen's Bishop can go to f4,
then you play \protect\begin{chess}e2-e3\protect\end{chess}, and
develop the King's Bishop.  So:

\protect\begin{chess} d2-d4, Ng1-f3, Bc1-f4, e2-e3, Bf1-d3, O-O,
  Nb1-d2\protect\end{chess}

\board{ * * * *}
{ * * * *}
{ * * * *}
{ * * * *}
{ * P B *}
{* PBPN* }
{PP N PPP}
{R *QK *R}
$$\showboard$$

This is called the London System. It's a perfectly solid system, which
masters can pay for a win.  But I have a feeling that this is not a
great way for juniors to play.  Most of them I think would find this
rather too slow and dull, everything gets bogged down, and often
neither side can come up with any ideas of how to win and would have
to rely on their opponent overlooking something to win.  If you are
much better than a beginner, and you like this style of playing, then
you can have a go for either side, but my advice is: stick
to\protect\begin{chess}

1. e2-e4!\protect\end{chess}



How should you play the London system as White or Black?  Black often develops their Bishops on f5 and d6.  Because White is going to take a few moves to achieve Bf\protect\begin{chess}1-d3,\protect\end{chess} Black may play ...Bc\protect\begin{chess}8-f5\protect\end{chess} first, and the light-squared Bishops come off.  Also, Black will often challenge the Bc\protect\begin{chess}1-f4\protect\end{chess} with ...Bf\protect\begin{chess}8-d6,\protect\end{chess} and the dark-squared Bishops also come off.  We then have a slow game with Knights and Queens.



\board{r* * rk*}
{pppn*ppp}
{ * qpn *}
{* *p* * }
{ * P * *}
{* PQPN* }
{PP N PPP}
{R * *RK }
$$\showboard$$

The first thing to do if you get into this sort of position (whether you are White or Black) is to 

open up a file for your Rooks

.  As Black, you may not be able to achieve ...e\protect\begin{chess}7-e5\protect\end{chess} very quickly, but it is likely that you can play ...c\protect\begin{chess}7-c5\protect\end{chess}.  So one good rule for playing Black in these openings is for you to play ...c\protect\begin{chess}7-c5\protect\end{chess} at some point.  This means that your Queen's Knight should not be placed straightaway at c6 in front of the c-Pawn, but instead go to c6 only after ...c\protect\begin{chess}7-c5\protect\end{chess}.  Another idea is to play ...Nb\protect\begin{chess}8-d7,\protect\end{chess} which actually supports the ...c\protect\begin{chess}7-c5\protect\end{chess} break.



\section{How you should play\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4\protect\end{chess} (open)}

The reason that games with\protect\begin{chess} 1.
  d2-d4\protect\end{chess} are called ``closed'' is because the
positions are often slow with few open lines.
After\protect\begin{chess} 1. e2-e4\protect\end{chess}
e\protect\begin{chess}7-e5\protect\end{chess} , all the major openings
set out to achieve the advance
\protect\begin{chess}d2-d4\protect\end{chess} for White.  We can play
it straight away (\protect\begin{chess} 2. d2-d4\protect\end{chess} ,
the Centre Game) or after\protect\begin{chess} 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.
  d2-d4\protect\end{chess} (the Scotch Game).  Perhaps the best way is
to prepare the advance with
\protect\begin{chess}c2-c3\protect\end{chess} as in the Giuoco Piano
(\protect\begin{chess} 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3. Bf1-c4
  Bc8-c5 4. c2-c3 Ng8-f6 5. d2-d4\protect\end{chess} or Ruy
Lopez\protect\begin{chess} 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3. Bf1-b5
  a7-a6 4. Bb5-a4 Ng8-f6 5. O-O Bf8-e7 6. Rf1-e1 b7-b5 7. Ba4-b3 O-O
  8. c2-c3 d7-d6 9. h2-h3 Nb8-d7 10. d2-d4\protect\end{chess} White
could also play d\protect\begin{chess}2-d4\protect\end{chess} on moves
5 or 9).

But after\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4\protect\end{chess} it's not
obvious how to achieve \protect\begin{chess}e2-e4\protect\end{chess} .
Obviously White can just play\protect\begin{chess}
  2.c2-c4\protect\end{chess} , which is the famous Queen's Gambit.
But there is another system, named after the Belgian master Colle,
which specifically aims at
\protect\begin{chess}e2-e4\protect\end{chess} and also leads to a nice
open game.  If juniors do want to play\protect\begin{chess}
  1.d2-d4\protect\end{chess} I always tell them about this system.

The idea is:\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4 2. Ng1-f3 3.
  e2-e3!\protect\end{chess}



This does block in the Bc1 but doesn't mean to leave it that way.
Continue:\protect\begin{chess}4. Bf1-d3 5. Nb1-d2 6. O-O 7.
  Rf1-e1\protect\end{chess} (of course, Black usually moves too!)




\board{rnbqkb r}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * n *}
{* *p* * }
{ * P * *}
{* PBPN* }
{PP N PPP}
{R BQR K }
$$\showboard$$\protect\begin{chess}




8. e2-e4!\protect\end{chess}



Now White has good development and will get open lines for the pieces.  Like this:




Colle - Buerger [D05] Hastings - (0.158), 1928\protect\begin{chess}
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 Be7 5.Nbd2 O-O 6.O-O Nbd7 7.e4 d*e4 8.N*e4 N*e4 9.B*e4 Nf6 10.Bd3 c5 11.d*c5 B*c5 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Qe2 Qc7 14.Rad1 Rd8 15.Ne5 Bd7 16.B*h7+ K*h7 17.B*f6 B*f6 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Q*f7+ Kh7 20.Rd3\protect\end{chess} 1-0



If you like the look of this, I have some 
notes on this system
tucked away somewhere.




\section{How you can play\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4\protect\end{chess} (expertly)}


The main Queen's-Pawn openings usually are based around playing c\protect\begin{chess}2-c4\protect\end{chess} rather than e\protect\begin{chess}2-e4\protect\end{chess}.  In the Queen's Gambit after\protect\begin{chess} 

1.d2-d4\protect\end{chess} d\protect\begin{chess}7-d5\protect\end{chess} 

White puts pressure on the Black centre with\protect\begin{chess} 

2.c2-c4\protect\end{chess}

 and later can play a Rook to the c-file, which is likely to be opened.

 
 When you know a bit more about how to play with each piece, the
 Queen's Gambit is a fine opening to play, but by the time you know
 enough to play the Queen's Gambit well, your opponent's may start
 avoiding\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4\protect\end{chess}
 \protect\begin{chess}d7-d5\protect\end{chess} by playing one of the
 Indian Defences\protect\begin{chess} 1. d2-d4
   Ng8-f6\protect\end{chess} .  Now there's an idea: you mean, I don't
 have to go through all this London system stuff?  Right!  You can
 play the Black side of the London system or the Colle to win if you
 fancy it, but you might prefer to have something a little spicier.
 Not an Indian Defence, but the Dutch Defence.





\section{How to avoid the Queen's Pawn game if you think your opponent plays stodgily.}


The Dutch Defence is one of the oldest and most aggressive defences to
the Queen's Pawn opening.  It goes:\protect\begin{chess}


1. d2-d4\protect\end{chess} f\protect\begin{chess}7-f5\protect\end{chess}

Now White has several ways of continuing.  If White knows a bit of theory they may know that one of the best ways to play for White is to play a set-up with:\protect\begin{chess}

1. d2-d4 2. c2-c4 3. Ng1-f3 4. g2-g3 5. Bf1-g2 6. O-O\protect\end{chess}


After this Black has three systems:

Leningrad system:\protect\begin{chess}1.: f7-f5 2.: Ng8-f6 
3.: g7-g6 4.: Bf8-g7
5.: O-O 6.: d7-d6\protect\end{chess}

Classical system:\protect\begin{chess} 1.: f7-f5 2.: Ng8-f6 3.: e7-e6 4.: Bf8-e7 5.: O-O 
6.: d7-d6\protect\end{chess}

Stonewall system:\protect\begin{chess} 1.: f7-f5 2.: Ng8-f6 3.: e7-e6 4.: Bf8-e7 5.: O-O 
6.: d7-d5\protect\end{chess}

In each system Black gets a flexible development with chances of a
King's-side attack.  If you fancy this idea, I have tucked away
some notes on the Stonewall system.



\board{ * * * *}
{* * * * }
{ * * * *}
{* * * * }
{ *p*p* *}
{* np*p* }
{pp bn*pp}
{*kr qb*r}
$$\showboard$$

The Stonewall formation is aggressive but as you can tell from its name, it is also quite solid. White cannot hope to make a quick raid on Black's position, while the f5 pawn is a beach-head for your King's-side attack.  Ideas for Black include:


\begin{itemize}
\item play ...Qe8 and ...Qh4
\item play ...Kh8, ...Rg8 and ...g5
\item play ...Ne4 and ...Ndf6
\item re-organise your bishops with
  ...Be\protect\begin{chess}7-d6\protect\end{chess} or
  ...Bd\protect\begin{chess}7-e8-h4\protect\end{chess}
\end{itemize}

Of course, you can combine these ideas.  Here's a couple of example games from an early Dutch fan, Mikhail Botvinnik, who later became World Champion.




Abramovic,G - Botvinnik,M [A85] Soviet Union, 1924\protect\begin{chess}




1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 b6 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 Bb7 7.Bd3\protect\end{chess} O-O 8.O-O Ne4\protect\begin{chess} 9.B*e7 Q*e7 10.Rc1 Na6 11.a3 Rf6 12.Qa4 N*c3 13.R*c3 B*f3 14.Q*a6 Rg6 15.g3 Qg5 16.Re1 Qh5 17.e4\protect\end{chess}





\board{r* * *k*}
{p pp* pp}
{Qp *p*r*}
{* * *p*q}
{ *PPP* *}
{P RB*bP }
{ P * P P}
{* * R K }
$$\showboard$$\protect\begin{chess}





17.: Q*h2+\protect\end{chess} 0-1\protect\begin{chess}




18.K*h2 Rh6+ 19.Kg1 Rh1\#\protect\end{chess}




Steiner Herman - Botvinnik M [A95/12] Ch Europe (juniors), Groningen (Netherl, 1946\protect\begin{chess}




1.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Nc3\protect\end{chess} O-O\protect\begin{chess} 7.Qc2 d5 8.Nf3 c6\protect\end{chess} 9.O-O Qe8\protect\begin{chess} 10.Bf4 Qh5 11.Rae1 Nbd7 12.Nd2 g5 13.Bc7 Ne8 14.Be5 N*e5 15.d*e5 f4 16.g*f4 g*f4 17.Nf3 Kh8 18.Kh1 Ng7 19.Qc1 Bd7 20.a3 Rf7 21.b4 Rg8 22.Rg1 Nf5 23.Nd1 Rfg7 24.Q*f4 Rg4 25.Qd2 Nh4 26.Ne3 N*f3 27.e*f3 Rh4 28.Nf1 Bg5\protect\end{chess} 0-1





\board{ * * *rk}
{pp*b* *p}
{ *p*p* *}
{* *pP gq}
{ PP* * r}
{P * *P* }
{ * Q PBP}
{* * RNRK}
$$\showboard$$





Bg\protect\begin{chess}5-f4\protect\end{chess}xh2 is on its way.



 If White hasn't met the Dutch defence before, it's likely they will just play their usual old moves: the London system, the classical system or a Gambit.


The London system 

\protect\begin{chess}d2-d4, Ng1-f3, Bc1-f4\protect\end{chess}

is just asking for Black to play
\protect\begin{chess}...d7-d6\protect\end{chess} and
\protect\begin{chess}...e7-e5,\protect\end{chess} with a good game.


If White plays a classical Queen's Pawn game with 

\protect\begin{chess}d2-d4 c2-c4 Ng1-f3 Nb1-c3 Bc1-g5 e2-e3
  Bf1-d3\protect\end{chess}

Black can get a good game with normal Dutch moves:\protect\begin{chess}
1.d4 f5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Bd3 b6 7.Nge2 Bb7 8.O-O Nh5 9.B*e7 Q*e7 10.Ng3 N*g3 11.h*g3 d6 12.f4 Nc6\protect\end{chess}= 

(0-1,54) 

Harrwitz,D - Morphy,P (5) Paris match, 1858

\protect\begin{chess}
1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 f5 3.c4 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nc3\protect\end{chess} O-O\protect\begin{chess} 6.e3 b6 7.Bd3 Bb7\protect\end{chess} 8.O-O Qe8\protect\begin{chess} 9.Qe2 Ne4 10.B*e7 N*c3 11.b*c3 Q*e7 12.a4 B*f3 13.Q*f3 Nc6 14.Rfb1 Rae8\protect\end{chess} =+

(1-0,52) 

 
Capablanca,Jose - Tartakower,Savielly [A40] New York (06), 1924.
White went on to win this famous ending, but according to Robert
Bellin, sometime British Champion and longtime Dutch defender, Black
has the advantage because of his better Pawn structure.


If you are interested in these lines, or the various gambits...


e.g.



Karayannis-Bellin 1993:\protect\begin{chess} 1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. e4\protect\end{chess}




\board{rnbqkbnr}
{pppp* pp}
{ * *p* *}
{* * *p* }
{ *PPP* *}
{* * * * }
{PP * PPP}
{RNBQKBNR}
$$\showboard$$

....then I have some notes on the ways 

White can avoid the Dutch main lines





\chapter{The theory of playing against\protect\begin{chess} 1.d2-d4\protect\end{chess}}


\board{rnbqkgnr}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * * *}
{* *p* * }
{ * P * *}
{* * * * }
{PPP*PPPP}
{RNGQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$






\section{Systems with \protect\begin{chess}c2-c4\protect\end{chess}}

Just as in the\protect\begin{chess} 1.e2-e4\protect\end{chess}
openings, it is possible for White to play mainly with pieces in the
opening, hoping to save time by not moving any more Pawns.  But just
as in the\protect\begin{chess} 1.e2-e4\protect\end{chess} openings
like Old Stodge, it is hard to stop Black getting easy equality
without hitting at the Black centre with Pawns, giving them something
to worry about.




\board{rnbqkgnr}
{pppp*ppp}
{ * * * *}
{* * p * }
{ * *P* *}
{* * * * }
{PPPP PPP}
{RNGQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$




After\protect\begin{chess} 1.e2-e4 e7-e5,\protect\end{chess} White
cannot be prevented from playing
\protect\begin{chess}d2-d4,\protect\end{chess} which White can do
straightaway (in the Scotch Game) or after
\protect\begin{chess}c2-c3\protect\end{chess} (Giuoco Piano and Ruy
Lopez).




\board{rnbqkgnr}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * * *}
{* *p* * }
{ * P * *}
{* * * * }
{PPP*PPPP}
{RNGQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$




But in the\protect\begin{chess} 1.d2-d4 d7-d5\protect\end{chess}
openings, it looks like \protect\begin{chess}e2-e4\protect\end{chess}
and \protect\begin{chess}c2-c4\protect\end{chess} just lose a Pawn.
So juniors and even adult club players often like to play it slow and
safe and simple, just getting their pieces out, keeping the centre
closed and hoping to arrange a King's-side attack.


White hopes that because the centre is likely to remain closed, Black will find it hard to disturb the White build-up.  Black must either swap off the attacking pieces, and/or upset the White centre.


White can always play \protect\begin{chess}e2-e4\protect\end{chess} as
a gambit (The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit ).  Also, the c4 point is easy to
guard with the Bc1, and so White can play\protect\begin{chess}
  2.c2-c4,\protect\end{chess} the Queen's Gambit , believing that
Black will find it hard to get away with snatching the c-Pawn.  We
will look at all of these systems for White, with and without
\protect\begin{chess}c2-c4\protect\end{chess}.

All of these openings are dangerous if you don't know what your
opponent is trying to do.  But only the Queen's Gambit is really
strong enough for Grandmasters.




\subsection{The Queen's Gambit}

\protect\begin{chess}
1. d4 d5 2. c4\protect\end{chess}

\board{rnbqkgnr}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * * *}
{* *p* * }
{ *PP * *}
{* * * * }
{PP *PPPP}
{RNGQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$






The idea behind the opening




I keep saying that it is difficult to put real pressure on your opponent's game without using a Pawn to hit at your opponent's central Pawns.  In the Queen's Gambit, White does this straight away.


In gambit openings, White hopes that Black will waste time taking and trying to hold on to the Pawn.  In the Queen's Gambit, this is a better idea than usual, since Black cannot hold on to the Pawn at all!

\protect\begin{chess} 2.: d*c4 3. e3 b5 4. a4 c6 5. a*b5 c*b5
  6.Qf3!\protect\end{chess} +-



Black can try other moves to hang on to the Pawn, but they are all more trouble than the Pawn is worth!  So, Black should not try to hang on to the Pawn, but aim to hit back in the centre:

\protect\begin{chess}
3. e3 e5!\protect\end{chess} 

or

\protect\begin{chess}
 3.e3 c5!\protect\end{chess}



Now, White need not scramble to get back the Pawn but should try to
hold on in the centre.  A common sequence is:

\protect\begin{chess} 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 c5 5. B*c4 e6 6.
  O-O\protect\end{chess}



\board{rnbqkg r}
{pp* *ppp}
{ * *pn *}
{* p * * }
{ *BP * *}
{* * PN* }
{PP * PPP}
{RNGQ*RK }
$$\showboard$$






How to play against this opening




If you fancy the ``accept then hit back'' approach, then this Queen's Gambit Accepted line is easy to learn:

\begin{itemize}
\item
  You should exchange on d4 to give White an isolated d-Pawn.
\item
  You should play
  \protect\begin{chess}...Nbd7-b6-d5\protect\end{chess} to stop the
  d-Pawn advancing.
\item
  You should put pressure on the d-Pawn, to tie White's pieces down to
  defence.
\item
  You should aim for exchanging pieces, especially the light-squared
  Bishop, leaving White in a poor endgame, like this one
\end{itemize}





\board{ * * k *}
{*p* *ppp}
{p* *b* *}
{* *p* * }
{ * H * *}
{* * P * }
{PP * PPP}
{* K * * }
$$\showboard$$




With colours reversed, this is the classic `bad Bishop' endgame with an isolated Queen's-Pawn, from a famous Flohr-Capablanca game.  Black just managed to hold on, but had a struggle!  White can try little tricks on either side of the board, or try to slide the King in on the unprotected dark squares, but Black can only sit and suffer.  So, playing Black against the Queen's Gambit, this is what you can hope to get to.




Example game






Salwe,G - Rubinstein,A [D26] Lodz, 1907

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d*c4 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.e3 c5
  6.B*c4 Nc6 7.O-O c*d4 8.e*d4 Be7 9.Bf4 O-O 10.Qd2 b6 11.Rfd1 Nb4
  12.Qe2 Bb7 13.Ne5 Nbd5 14.Bg3 Rc8 15.Rac1\protect\end{chess}...



\board{ *rq rk*}
{pb* gppp}
{ p *pn *}
{* *nH * }
{ *BP * *}
{* H * G }
{PP *QPPP}
{* RR* K }
$$\showboard$$




Now Rubinstein changed the Pawn structure with\protect\begin{chess} 15.: N*c3,\protect\end{chess} and went on to win with pressure against the c- and d-Pawns and using the Bishop on the long diagonal.




\subsection{Swiss Defence}

\protect\begin{chess} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3
  O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 a6\protect\end{chess}






\board{r*bq rk*}
{*ppngppp}
{p* *pn *}
{* *p* G }
{ *PP * *}
{* H PN* }
{PP * PPP}
{* RQKB*R}
$$\showboard$$






The idea behind the opening




The Swiss Defence is a way of declining the Queen's Gambit.  Black develops quietly to start with, but is just ready to uncoil.  If White plays the automatic\protect\begin{chess} 



8.Bd3,\protect\end{chess} 



Black hits back with\protect\begin{chess} 



8.: d*c4! 9. B*c4 b5! 10. Bd3 c5!\protect\end{chess}



In another famous Capablanca game, Black (Alekhine) had an easy time after reaching this position:




\board{r* q rk*}
{*b*ngpp }
{p* *pn p}
{*pp * * }
{ * P * G}
{P H PN* }
{ P *BPPP}
{* RQ*RK }
$$\showboard$$




I won't give the whole game because it is rather long.




How to play this opening




White may see this Queen's-side counter-punch coming.  There are two tries for White:\protect\begin{chess}



8. c*d5\protect\end{chess}

 (The Carlsbad variation - see below) or:\protect\begin{chess}



8. c5\protect\end{chess}



After\protect\begin{chess} 8. c5\protect\end{chess} Black should stop the c-Pawn\protect\begin{chess}



8.: c6\protect\end{chess}



then hit back:\protect\begin{chess}



9.b4 


9.: a5! 10.a3 a*b4 11.a*b4 b6 12.Bd3 b*c5 13.b*c5 e5 14.N*e5\protect\end{chess} 




(\protect\begin{chess}14.d*e5 Ne8\protect\end{chess}=;\protect\begin{chess} 


14.B*f6 B*f6 15.d*e5 N*e5 16.N*e5 B*e5 17.B*h7+ K*h7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Q*e5 Ba6!\protect\end{chess} with compensation)\protect\begin{chess} 




14.: N*e5 15.d*e5 Nd7 16.B*e7 Q*e7 17.Qc2 Qh4 18.O-O Nxe5 19.Be2 Ba6
20.B*a6 R*a6 21.Ra1 Qc4= 9.Bd3\protect\end{chess}: 


see example game



Example game






Blodstein,B - Ziatdinov,R (2455) [D63] UZB-ch (9), 1993

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O
  6.e3 Nbd7 7.Rc1 a6 8.c5 c6 9.Bd3 e5!\protect\end{chess}





\board{r*bq rk*}
{*p*ngppp}
{p*p* n *}
{* Ppp G }
{ * P * *}
{* HBPN* }
{PP * PPP}
{* RQK *R}
$$\showboard$$\protect\begin{chess}





10.N*e5\protect\end{chess}




[\protect\begin{chess}10.d*e5 Ne8 11.Bf4; 


10.B*f6 B*f6 11.d*e5 Be7!\protect\end{chess}]\protect\begin{chess} 




10.: N*e5 11.d*e5 Nd7 12.Bf4 B*c5 13.h4 Re8 14.Bb1 Bf8 15.Qc2 g6 16.h5 N*e5 17.h*g6 h*g6 18.Qd1 Bg7 19.Kf1 Qf6 20.Ne2 Bf5 21.Ng3 B*b1 22.R*b1 Rad8 23.Qd4 Nc4\protect\end{chess} 0-1




\subsection{QGD with\protect\begin{chess} 5.Bf4\protect\end{chess}}

QGD with\protect\begin{chess} 5.Bf4
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bf4\protect\end{chess}.

\board{rnbqk* r}
{ppp gppp}
{ * *pn *}
{* *p* * }
{ *PP G *}
{* H *N* }
{PP *PPPP}
{R *QKB*R}
$$\showboard$$




The idea behind the opening




This is a proper Grandmaster opening and so you will not be able to bash out moves without thinking and expect to get an equal game (as if you ever can!)




How to play against this opening




The usual ideas of developing sensibly then hitting back in the centre are the right recipe here.\protect\begin{chess}



4.Nf3 Be7 5.Bf4\protect\end{chess} O-O\protect\begin{chess} 6.e3\protect\end{chess} 

(we've developed sensibly, so...)\protect\begin{chess}

 6.: c5 7.d*c5 B*c5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Rd1 Qa5 10.a3 Be7 11.Nd2 e5 12.Bg5 d4 13.Nb3 Qd8\protect\end{chess} =



Example game






Jussupow,A (2635) - Kortschnoj,V (2630) [D37] Tilburg, 1987

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O
  6.e3 c5 7.d*c5 B*c5 8.Qc2 Nc6 9.Rd1 Qa5 10.a3 Be7 11.Nd2 e5 12.Bg5
  d4 13.Nb3 Qd8 14.Be2 a5 15.Na4 Ng4 16.B*e7 Q*e7 17.e*d4 Qh4 18.B*g4
  B*g4 19.Rd2 e*d4 20.O-O Rad8 21.Nac5 d3 22.Qc3 Be2 23.Re1 a4 24.N*a4
  Rfe8 25.h3 Ne5 26.Rd*e2 d*e2 27.Nc1 b5 28.Nb6 Rd1 29.N*e2 Nf3+
  30.g*f3 R*e2\protect\end{chess} 0-1


\,



\subsection{Exchange variation}

\protect\begin{chess}
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. c*d5\protect\end{chess}


\board{rnbqkgnr}
{ppp *ppp}
{ * * * *}
{* *p* * }
{ * P * *}
{* * * * }
{PP *PPPP}
{RNGQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$




This is the classic Exchange, but there is a variation that comes out of the Swiss Defence.\protect\begin{chess}



1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 a6 8.c*d5 e*d5\protect\end{chess}





\board{r*bq rk*}
{*ppngppp}
{p* * n *}
{* *p* G }
{ * P * *}
{* H PN* }
{PP * PPP}
{* RQKB*R}
$$\showboard$$




This variation, from the Swiss Defence, is known as the Carlsbad Variation.




The idea behind the opening




White simplifies the centre, hoping to make use of slightly more active pieces and the open c-file.  In the main Exchange Variation, White often plays Rab1 and pushes the b-Pawn, but in the Carlsbad Variation, this would waste time.




How to play against this opening




In the main line Exchange, Black can play a quick ...Bf5; in the Carlsbad, Black is more likely to head for a normal King's-side counterattack.




Example game






Soares - Moindrot [D65] corr ol, 1945

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 e6 2.c4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 Nbd7
  6.Nf3 O-O 7.Rc1 a6 8.c*d5 e*d5 9.Bd3 c6 10.Qc2 Re8 11.O-O Nf8 12.Ne5
  N6d7 13.B*e7 Q*e7 14.N*d7 B*d7 15.Na4 Qg5 16.Nc5 Bg4 17.N*b7 Bf3
  18.g3 Qh5 19.Rfe1 Re6 20.Bf1 Rh6 21.h4 Ng6 22.Q*c6
  Rf8\protect\end{chess} 0-1


\,



\subsection{Semi-Slav Systems}


...d5,...e6 and ...c6 






\board{rnbqkgnr}
{pp* *ppp}
{ *p*p* *}
{* *p* * }
{ *PP * *}
{* H * * }
{PP *PPPP}
{R GQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$






The ideas behind the opening



\begin{itemize}
\item
  First, Black sets up a little fortress in the centre, and develops
  at least a few pieces.
\item
  Then, Black must release the Bc8 and open up a file for the Rooks.
  So Black must play either
  ...c\protect\begin{chess}7-c5\protect\end{chess} or
  ...e\protect\begin{chess}6-e5,\protect\end{chess} perhaps first
  playing ...dxc4 so that Black doesn't get left with an isolated
  d-Pawn
\end{itemize}





\board{r*bqr*k*}
{pp*n*ppp}
{ *pgpn *}
{* * * * }
{ *BP * *}
{* H PN* }
{PP * PPP}
{R GQK *R}
$$\showboard$$



Black ready for ...e\protect\begin{chess}7-e5!\protect\end{chess}


\begin{itemize}
\item
  Black has already played ...c6 which can support ...b5.  This gives
  two ideas:
\item
  Quickly play ...dxc4 and
  \protect\begin{chess}...b7-b5,\protect\end{chess} to try and hang on
  to the c-Pawn.
\item
  Wait until White has moved the Bf1 somewhere, then make it waste a
  move or two by ...dxc4, Bcx4,
  \protect\begin{chess}...b7-b5!\protect\end{chess} Black can then
  play \protect\begin{chess}...c7-c5\protect\end{chess} and
  \protect\begin{chess}...Bc8-b7,\protect\end{chess} giving the Bishop
  a nice long diagonal.
\end{itemize}





\board{rnbqkgnr}
{p * *ppp}
{ *p*p* *}
{*p* * * }
{ *pP * *}
{* H *N* }
{PP *PPPP}
{R GQKB*R}
$$\showboard$$



Grabbing the c-Pawn - risky!





\board{r*bq rk*}
{* *ngppp}
{p*p*pn *}
{*p* * * }
{ *BP * *}
{* H PN* }
{PP * PPP}
{R GQKB*R}
$$\showboard$$



Hitting the Bishop after
\protect\begin{chess}...dxc4\protect\end{chess}: follow up with Bb7
and \protect\begin{chess}c7-c5\protect\end{chess}



How to play this opening




I can't promise that players of
\protect\begin{chess}d2-d4\protect\end{chess} will rattle out the same
moves game after game like \protect\begin{chess}e4 Nf3 Bc4
  d3...\protect\end{chess}


There are several lines where the Semi-Slav is seen:\protect\begin{chess}



1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 e6\protect\end{chess} 

or\protect\begin{chess}



1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c6 


1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 d*c4


1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e4 Bb4


1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 Bd6


1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 d*c4\protect\end{chess}



and if you play the Dutch:\protect\begin{chess}



1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e3 f5!?\protect\end{chess} 


[\protect\begin{chess}4.Nf3 f5?\protect\end{chess}! is less good because of\protect\begin{chess} 5.Bf4,\protect\end{chess} seizing control of e5]



Example games:




Here's a ``grab the c-Pawn'' game, although you can see the risks Black takes in the centre:




Collas,D (2280) - Flear,G (2495) [D31] Paris (3), 1992

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 d*c4 5.a4 Bb4
  6.e3 b5 7.Bd2 a5 8.a*b5 B*c3 9.B*c3 c*b5 10.b3 Bb7 11.b*c4 b4 12.Bb2
  Nf6 13.Bd3 Nbd7 14.Qc2 Qc7 15.O-O O-O 16.Rfc1 Rfc8 17.e4 e5 18.c5
  e*d4 19.B*d4 Qc6 20.Nh4 g6 21.f3 a4 22.Qd2 b3 23.e5 Nh5 24.Be4 Qb5
  25.e6 B*e4 26.e*d7 Q*d7 27.f*e4 a3 28.Qf2 Nf4 29.Rd1 Qg4 30.Kh1 b2
  31.Rab1 a2 32.Q*b2 a*b1Q 33.R*b1 Q*h4 34.g3 Qd8 35.g*f4
  Rcb8\protect\end{chess} 0-1



And the other ideas can be seen in this shortie:




Samisch,F - Capablanca,J [D46] Moskva (18), 1925

\protect\begin{chess} 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.c4 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7
  6.Bd3 a6 7.O-O dxc4 8.B*c4 b5 9.Bd3 c5 10.Qe2 Bb7 11.Rd1 Qc7 12.e4
  c*d4 13.N*d4 Bc5 14.Nb3 Bd6 15.h3 b4 16.Nb1 Ne5 17.Bf4 O-O 18.B*e5
  B*e5 19.N1d2 B*b2 20.Rab1 Bc3 21.Nc4 a5 22.e5 Nd7 23.B*h7+ K*h7
  24.Qd3+ Kg8 25.Q*d7 Q*c4 26.Q*b7 a4 27.Nd2 Q*a2 28.Nf3
  Qe2\protect\end{chess} 0-1


\,



\subsection{Catalan Opening}

\protect\begin{chess}
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3\protect\end{chess}






\board{rnbqkgnr}
{ppp *ppp}
{ * *p* *}
{* *p* * }
{ *PP * *}
{* * * P }
{PP *PP P}
{RNGQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$






The idea behind the opening




This is a slow, rather tricky system to play against.  White hopes to keep Black under pressure and uncoil slowly.




How to play against this opening




If you like the ``grab the c-Pawn'' strategy in the Semi-Slav, it
looks even better here with White having moved the Bishop off the
\protect\begin{chess}f1-a6\protect\end{chess} diagonal.




Example game






Gostisa,L (2410) - Burmakin,V (2530) [D31] Bled op, 1994

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 d*c4 5.g3 b5
  6.Bg2 Bb7 7.a4 a6 8.O-O Nd7 9.e4 Ngf6 10.Qe2 Be7
11.Rd1 O-O 12.Bf4 Re8 13.Ne1 Qb6 14.g4 Nf8 15.g5 N6d7 16.Qg4 Ng6
17.Be3 c5 18.d5 Nde5 19.Qg3 b4 20.a5 Qc7 21.Na4 e*d5 22.e*d5 Bd6
23.Nb6 Nd3 24.N*a8 B*a8\protect\end{chess} 0-1




\section{Systems without \protect\begin{chess}c2-c4\protect\end{chess}}

These systems usually emphasise piece play rather than pressure on the
centre with Pawns.  White has a standard attacking plan which can walk
straight through you if you aren't careful.  I'll show you one game to
worry you, then lots more to show you what to do about these systems.




Burgess Graham - Johannesson Larus (8) [A46] It, 1995\protect\begin{chess}




1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bg5 Be7 4. Nbd2 d5 5. e3 O-O 6. Bd3 b6 7. Ne5 c5 8. c3 Qc7 9. f4 Bb7 10. Qf3 h6 11. h4 Nc6 12. Rh3\protect\end{chess}





\board{r* * rk*}
{pbq gpp }
{ pn*pn p}
{* ppH G }
{ * P P P}
{* PBPQ*R}
{PP H *P*}
{R * K * }
$$\showboard$$




`Normal' moves from Black have allowed White to set up a favourable `Stonewall' formation with the dark-squared Bishop outside the Pawn chain.  With the centre closed, White shuffles pieces over to the King's-side and mugs the King.

\protect\begin{chess} 12.: N*e5 13. f*e5 Ne4 14. N*e4 d*e4 15. B*e4
  B*e4 16. Q*e4 Qd8 17. B*e7 Q*e7 18. O-O-O c4 19. Rf1
  b5\protect\end{chess}





\board{r* * rk*}
{p * qpp }
{ * *p* p}
{*p* P * }
{ *pPQ* P}
{* P P *R}
{PP * *P*}
{* K *R* }
$$\showboard$$




It's not the f7-Pawn that is to be attacked but the King.  ``His fortress becomes a prison", says Tony Dempsey.\protect\begin{chess}



20. Rf6 Kh8 21. Rg3 b4 22. Qf4 b*c3 23. Q*h6+\protect\end{chess} 1-0



Point made, I hope.  Normal developing moves can lead to trouble - so you need  plan!


In these systems, White often develops the dark-squared Queen's Bishop early on, but first we will look at a popular system which does just the opposite - it apparently locks in the Bishop forever!




\subsection{Colle System}

\protect\begin{chess}
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3.e3\protect\end{chess}






\board{rnbqkg r}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * n *}
{* *p* * }
{ * P * *}
{* * PN* }
{PPP* PPP}
{RNGQKB*R}
$$\showboard$$






The idea behind the opening




Now, White does know that the Bc1 must be got out, but will do so later on.


White wants to play the difficult
\protect\begin{chess}e2-e4,\protect\end{chess} so sets about it in two
stages - first, developing pieces around the e4 point, with Bd3, Nbd2,
and Re1 or Qe2, and only then breaking with
\protect\begin{chess}e3-e4,\protect\end{chess} hoping that the White
pieces will ambush Black.




How to play against this opening




It is not hard to guess that after
\protect\begin{chess}e2-e3\protect\end{chess} White wants to play Bd3.
So\protect\begin{chess}



3.: Bf5\protect\end{chess}



is a nice awkward move, when\protect\begin{chess} 



4. Bd3 e6!\protect\end{chess}



Is another nice awkward move (Alekhine).


The only way to be awkward back is\protect\begin{chess} 



4. c4 e6 5. Qb3\protect\end{chess}



but Black can cope with this - White's Bishops are not well-placed to attack.  Here\protect\begin{chess}



5.: Qb6\protect\end{chess} 



looks OK, or keep Queens on with\protect\begin{chess}



5.: Qc8\protect\end{chess}



Example game






Mellen,S - Jarosz,S [D12] Lansing,MI Jan mini, 1990

\protect\begin{chess} 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 c6
  6.Qb3 Qc8 7.Bd2 Nbd7 8.Rc1 Qb8 9.Be2 Bd6 10.O-O h6 11.h3 O-O 12.c*d5
  e*d5 13.Na4 Re8 14.Bb4 Bc7 15.Nc5 N*c5 16.d*c5 Ne4 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.Bd3
  Qc8 19.Qc2 B*h3 20.B*e4 R*e4 21.g*h3 Q*h3 22.f3 Re5 23.f4 R*e3
  24.Rf2 B*f4 25.Nf5 Re4 26.Bd2 Q*f5 27.B*f4 Qg4+\protect\end{chess}
0-1



\,




\subsection{London System}

\protect\begin{chess}
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4\protect\end{chess}






\board{rnbqkg r}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * n *}
{* *p* * }
{ * P G *}
{* * *N* }
{PPP*PPPP}
{RN*QKB*R}
$$\showboard$$






The idea behind the opening




White is developing smoothly and has some control over the dark squares in the centre.  White can play on either side of the board, if allowed.  So this is quite a sound, flexible system, and needs some care to play against.




How to play against this opening




As I described above, Black should develop sensibly and look to open lines for Rooks.




Example game






Gross,R - Hoenig,A [D02] NRW-I, 1990

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 Bf5 4.c3 e6 5.e3 Bd6
  6.Bg3 O-O 7.Bd3 B*d3 8.Q*d3 c5 9.Nbd2 Nc6 10.O-O a5 11.a4 Ra6
  12.Rad1 B*g3 13.h*g3 c*d4 14.e*d4 Rb6 15.b3 h6 16.Rfe1 Qc7 17.Rc1
  Rc8 18.Rc2 Nb4 19.c*b4 Q*c2 20.Q*c2 R*c2 21.b*a5 Rb4 22.Kf1 Nd7
  23.Ke2 R*b3\protect\end{chess} 0-1



\,




\subsection{Veresov System}

\protect\begin{chess}
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5\protect\end{chess}






\board{rnbqkg r}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * n *}
{* *p* G }
{ * P * *}
{* H * * }
{PPP*PPPP}
{R *QKBHR}
$$\showboard$$






The idea behind the opening




White has a number of new ideas in this line: perhaps White can mess up Black's Pawns with Bxf6, or use the pressure against the Knight to play f3 and e4.




How to play against this opening




If you don't want White to mess up your Pawns, then you must play\protect\begin{chess} 



3.: Nbd7!\protect\end{chess}



which may be the best move.  But I think Bxf6 is not much to worry about, and that you should get your Bc8 out if you can:\protect\begin{chess}



3.: Bf5!


4.B*f6 g*f6\protect\end{chess} 



recapture towards the centre if you can\protect\begin{chess}



5.e3 c6 6.Bd3 B*d3 7.Q*d3 e6 8.e4 Nd7 9.Nf3 d*e4 10.N*e4 f5\protect\end{chess} =





\board{r* qkg r}
{pp*n*p*p}
{ *p*p* *}
{* * *p* }
{ * PN* *}
{* *Q*N* }
{PPP* PPP}
{R * K *R}
$$\showboard$$




With Pawns on White squares and a Bishop on dark squares, Black is ready to uncoil.


BCO2 also gives:\protect\begin{chess}



4. f3 Nbd7 5. N*d5 N*d5 6. e4 h6 7. Bh4\protect\end{chess} N\protect\begin{chess}7b6 8. e*f5 Ne3! 9. Qd2 N*f1 10. K*f1\protect\end{chess}=/+ 



Example game






Link,U - Birke,M [D01] Wuert-chT, 1994

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 Bf5 4.B*f6 g*f6 5.e3 e6
  6.Bd3 B*d3 7.Q*d3 c6 8.Nge2 Nd7 9.e4 d*e4 10.Q*e4 f5 11.Qf3 Nf6
  12.O-O-0 Qc7 13.h3 h5 14.Kb1 O-O-0 15.g4 h*g4 16.h*g4 R*h1 17.R*h1
  N*g4 18.Ne4 Bg7 19.Rh7 B*d4 20.Ng5 Bf6 21.N*f7 Rd7 22.Nf4 R*f7
  23.N*e6 Qe5\protect\end{chess} 0-1


\,



\subsection{Stonewall Attack}

\protect\begin{chess} 1. d4 d5 2. e3\protect\end{chess} with
\protect\begin{chess}f2-f4\protect\end{chess}



\board{rnbqkgnr}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * * *}
{* *p* * }
{ * P * *}
{* * P * }
{PPP* PPP}
{RNGQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$






The idea behind the opening




White hopes to strangle the centre with f4 then kick in the
King's-side with \protect\begin{chess}Bf1-d3\protect\end{chess}xh7+.
It can work - if Black assumes there is no danger!  It's also not a
bad idea for Black, because White is usually less defensive.




How to play against this opening




If you think about it, White is trying to attack without the Bc1, and that means attacking without the Ra1!  Because White has been so obvious, Black can easily organise a defence.  But you must organise one - just developing without thinking will let White carry out the plan. Don't be in a hurry to castle into an attack!


One nice idea is\protect\begin{chess} 



2.: Nf6 3. Bd3 Nc6!\protect\end{chess}



Now:\protect\begin{chess}



4. f4 Nb4! 5. Be2 Bf5!


4. c3 e5!\protect\end{chess}



If this is not your style, another nice idea is\protect\begin{chess} 3.: g6,\protect\end{chess} which stops the Bxh7 trick, or play\protect\begin{chess} 3.: Bg4\protect\end{chess} with the idea of ...e6 and ...Bf5! or\protect\begin{chess} 3.: g6\protect\end{chess} with the idea of ...Bf5.



Oskum - Euwe Scheveningen, 1920

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.Bd3 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.f4 Bg4
  6.Nf3 e6 7.Nbd2 Bd6 8.g3 Rc8 9.O-O Nd7 10.Qe1 O-O 11.e4 c*d4 12.N*d4
  Qb6 13.Qf2 e5 14.e*d5 Ne7 15.f*e5 N*e5 16.Be4 f5 17.Ne6 f*e4 18.Q*b6
  R*f1+ 19.K*f1 a*b6 20.N*e4 Bb8 21.Nf4 Rd8 22.Be3 Nc4 23.Bd4 B*f4
  24.g*f4 N*d5 25.b3 Nce3+ 26.Kf2 Nc2 27.Rg1 N*d4 28.c*d4 Bf5 29.Kf3
  B*e4+ 30.K*e4 Nc3+ 31.Kd3 Nb5 32.Kc4 N*d4 33.Rd1
  b5+\protect\end{chess} 0-1



Example game






Provaznik,M - Klimus,V [D00] Moravia op ch, 1994

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.Bd3 c5 4.c3 c4 5.Bc2 Nc6 6.f4
  Bg4 7.Nf3 Qd7 8.O-O e6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.h3 Bh5 11.Qe1 Bg6 12.B*g6 h*g6
  13.Ne5 Qc7 14.Ndf3 Ne4 15.Bd2 Rh6 16.b3 Na5 17.b4 Nc6 18.Ng4 Rh7
  19.Nge5 Bf6 20.Qb1 B*e5 21.f*e5 Ne7 22.Qb2 Nf5 23.Rfe1 Nfg3 24.Reb1
  g5 25.Nh2 f5 26.Be1 g4 27.B*g3 N*g3 28.h*g4 f*g4 29.N*g4 Qf7 30.Nh2
  Qh5\protect\end{chess} 0-1



\,




\subsection{Blackmar-Diemer Gambit}

\protect\begin{chess}
1. d4 d5 2. e4\protect\end{chess}






\board{rnbqkgnr}
{ppp pppp}
{ * * * *}
{* *p* * }
{ * PP* *}
{* * * * }
{PPP* PPP}
{RNGQKBHR}
$$\showboard$$






The idea behind the opening




White hopes that Black will take this Pawn and the f-Pawn, giving White extra time and open lines for an attack.


This can work very well:




Sawyer T - Overman A [D00] corr USCF Golden Knights SF, 1990

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.e4 d*e4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e*f3 5.N*f3 g6
  6.Bc4 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.Qe1 Nbd7 9.Qh4 e6 10.Bg5 Qe8 11.Rae1 c6 12.Ne5
  Nd5 13.Ne4 N*e5 14.d*e5 Kh8 15.B*d5\protect\end{chess} 1-0



How to play against this opening




This opening works so well because most club players are rubbish at
defence.  So, to play against it, you either need to become better at
defence then accept the gambit, or decline it and hope you haven't let
White get away with anything else.

If you play the French Defence as Black, there can be no arguing with\protect\begin{chess} 
2.: e6\protect\end{chess}
, transposing into your main defence to\protect\begin{chess} 1.e4\protect\end{chess}.  Or, you can decline it with moves like\protect\begin{chess} 
4.: Bf5\protect\end{chess}
 or\protect\begin{chess} 
4.: e3\protect\end{chess}
, or accept it with\protect\begin{chess} 
4.: e*f3 5. N*f3\protect\end{chess}.

I have a feeling the best way is to take it, but don't castle into an
attack, first have a hack at the White centre.




Example game






Drueke,V - Regis,D [D00] Section P01 BDG Email Tourney (1), 01.07.1997

\protect\begin{chess} 1.d4 d5 2.e4 d*e4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 e*f3 5.N*f3 e6
  6.Bg5 Be7 7.Bd3 c5 8.d*c5 Qa5 9.O-O Qxc5+ 10.Kh1 Nbd7 11.Qe1
  a6\protect\end{chess}


We know have a little dance where Black tries to swap off Queens, and
White tries to trap the Black Queen.  All this costs White another
Pawn.\protect\begin{chess}



12.Qh4 Qb4 13.Nd4 Q*b2 14.Nce2 Ne5 15.a4 Qb6\protect\end{chess} 



White thinks the time is right to blast a way through to the Black King, but...\protect\begin{chess}



16.R*f6 g*f6\protect\end{chess} 0-1




...\protect\begin{chess}17. B*f6 Qd8!\protect\end{chess}



None of my own work: I read it all in a book.

\end{document}