Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nc3/2...Bb4/3. d4

Zhuravlev countergambit C25 Vienna game → Zhuravlev countergambit 3. d4 White plays to open the centre, but pins their knight in the process. Black may take the knight on c3, but there is no urgency because the knight is pinned, and if 3...Bxc3?! 4. bxc3, though White's pawns are doubled they have strong control of the centre. 3...d6 is the best defence according to Stockfish. This leads to a queen trade and Black loses the right to castle: 4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8. 3...Qh4!? looks impulsive but comes with a definitive plan. Black would like to play ...exd4 to increase pressure on the knight, which is now pinned, but can't because Qxd4 Nc6 Qxg7!. 3...Qh4!? intends ...Qxe4+ where the queen would support ...exd4, then 4. Be3 Qxe4 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Bd3! ⩲. References