Starting position. Use the controls below to step through the moves.
Core Strategic Ideas
Pin and pressure the Nc6 knight to weaken Black's defense of e5.: Pin and pressure the Nc6 knight to weaken Black's defense of e5.
Prepare swift kingside castling and build a dominant pawn center with c3 and d4.: Prepare swift kingside castling and build a dominant pawn center with c3 and d4.
Maintain flexible piece placement and deep strategic positional play.: Maintain flexible piece placement and deep strategic positional play.
♔ White's Strategic Plan
Castle quickly, support the center with c3-d4, and maneuver the light-squared bishop along the c2-b3 diagonal to mount kingside pressure.
♚ Black's Strategic Plan
Solidify e5, challenge the bishop with ...a6 and ...b5, or counterattack with the Berlin Defense (3...Nf6).