Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...e6/2. c4/2...Bb4

Keres Defence The Keres Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves 1. d4 e6 2. c4 Bb4+. It is also known as the Kangaroo Defence or Franco-Indian Defence. The opening is named after Estonian grandmaster Paul Keres. After the opening moves, White has several options to respond, including 3. Bd2, 3. Nd2, and 3. Nc3. If white plays 3. Nc3, the game might transpose into a Nimzo-Indian Defence or a Bogo-Indian Defence. The standard reply today is 3. Bd2. Black can continue with 3...Bxd2+ into a line of the Bogo-Indian, and 3...a5 will also usually transpose to a Bogo-Indian when White plays Nf3. Alternatively, Black can allow White to play e4: 3...Qe7 4.e4 d5. 1. d4 e6 2. c4 Bb4+