Key ideas
- The main setup is e3, Nbd2, c3 and Bd3 with short castling, followed by e4. White takes on f6 when it gains time or damages Black's pawns.
- Black's sharpest answer is ...c5 with ...Qb6, hitting b2 as against the London System. After 3...c5 4.e3 Qb6, White defends with 5.Qc1 or offers the pawn with 5.Nbd2, when 5...Qxb2 6.Bd3 gives White quick development.
- 3...h6 (the Nimzowitsch Variation) asks the bishop at once. 4.Bxf6 Qxf6 gives Black the bishop pair, while 4.Bh4 keeps the pin.
- Against 2...g6 (the Fianchetto Defense) White uses the same setup, with c3 blunting the bishop on g7 and e4 as the central break.
Plans for White
Keep the pin, complete e3, c3, Nbd2 and Bd3, castle, then prepare e4. Trading on f6 is worth it when it gains time or weakens Black's kingside.
Plans for Black
Break the pin with ...h6 or ...Be7, play ...c5 and ...Qb6 against b2, and challenge the centre with ...d5, or with ...d6 and ...e5.