Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...Nf6

Marshall Defence rd nd bd qd kd bd rd pd pd pd pd pd pd pd nd pd pl pl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql kl bl nl rl 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nf6 D06 Queen's Gambit Marshall Defence A rarely seen opening at the higher levels of chess. Instead of playing e6, black can play Nf6. Black's knight defends the d5 square, but if white exchanges pawns, it is not too difficult to later gain a tempo by attacking the piece on d5. However, this defense may not be as bad as it seems. After 3. cxd5, black can play 3...c6?!, the Tan gambit. In this case, it is best for white to accept the gambit and now, black has a lead in development after 4. dxc6 Nxc6, giving at least partial compensation for the pawn. Usually, in the middlegame that follows, white gets a small advantage, but black usually holds out just fine. Even into the endgame, black may have chances for a draw, despite being a pawn down. Theory table . 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d5 3 4 5 6 Marshall Defence cxd5c6 dxc6Nxc6 Nf3e5 e3exd4 +=/= References Marshall Defence