Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nc3

Classical variation Caro-Kann → 2...d5 B12 3. Nc3 · Classical variation White develops a knight, ready to take back on e4. 3...dxe4, denying White their two-pawn centre, is the main move, after which White usually recaptures with 4. Nxe4, though some ways of gambitting the pawn may be played. A few sidelines exist if Black wishes to avoid main line theory; 3...Nf6 is called the Campomanes attack. This induces White to play 4. e5, kicking the knight to d7. Black has induced White to play with a closed centre, resembling an advance variation Caro-Kann, perhaps not a line they were prepared to play. 3...g6 is the Gurgenidze system. It allows White to expand on the kingside, 4. e5 Bg7 5. f4 h5, where Black usually looks to trade off their light square bishop and plant their knight on f5 via h5. 4. h3 prevents Black from playing ...Bg4 and trading off the bishop and usually leads to an open centre. 3...b5?!, the Gurgenidze counterattack, where Black hopes to drive off White's knight with ...b4, which they imagine might be good for them. An unsound surprise attack that performs well enough at the club level. 3...e6?!, defending the d5 pawn again and combining the disadvantages of both the Caro-Kann and the French defence, must surely be the worse than either. Theory table 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 3 4 5 6 Classical Variation Nc3dxe4 Nxe4Bf5 Ng3Bg6 h4h6 = ...g6 h3Bg7 Nf3Nf6 e5Ne4 += ...b5 a3dxe4 Nxe4Nf6 Nxf6exf6 += ...e6 Nf3dxe4 Nxe4Nd7 c4Ngf6 ...Nf6 ...a6 Nf3Bg4 Be2Nf6 e5Nfd7 += References See also Caro-Kann