Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...Nc6

Chigorin Defence 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 D07 2...Nc6 · Chigorin defence With 2...Nc6 Black does not support the central d5 pawn but develops a piece for an uneven game. Theory in this defence has been extended in recent years in part due to the attempt to create playable lines in the Black Knights' Tango which can transpose into a Chigorin Defence. Unlike most Queen's pawn openings, White's d-pawn gets put under a lot of pressure. White will have to either counter-attack or defend the pawn to keep the advantage. /3. Nc3/ is the most popular response, putting pressure on Black's d-pawn. Black usually responds by capturing on c4. /3. Nf3/ is more passive than 3. Nc3. Black will be able to build up the pressure, and White will be on the defensive for a while. /3. cxd5/ is White's third most popular option. This is the Chigorin's Exchange variation. Just like in 3. Nf3, Black will be able to quickly build pressure on White's position. History The opening is named after Mikhail Chigorin, who first played the opening in 1889 against Steinitz.https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1551320 Early appearances of the Chigorin usually turned into a Queen's gambit declined with a knight on c6, which is far from optimal, since Black usually wants to play either c5 or c6 in those positions. The first five moves of what is considered to be the main line were played already in 1895 by Chigorin in a consultation game against Blackburne and Pillsbury with Schiffers as his teammate.https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1551320 Theory table 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. cxd5 Nxd5 + 3. ... dxc4 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. d5 Na5 + 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. cxd5 Bxf3 5. gxf3 Qxd5 + Exchange variation 3. cxd5 Qxd5 4. e3 e5 5. Nc3 Bb4 + References See also Chigorin Defence