Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. g3

Open game Open game 2. g3?! An uncommon move which prepares to fianchetto White's bishop, even though it could already develop along the a6 to f1 diagonal. The intention may be to play d3 and play in the manner of a king's Indian attack, e.g. 2...Nf6 3. Bg2 Bc5 4. d3 d6 5. Nf3 . However if Black plays actively, White's e4-pawn can come under pressure before White has developed the kingside, and this set-up may be hard to achieve. 2...d5 is the most critical move and White finds their king's Indian plans disrupted. If 3. exd5 Qxd5! attacks the rook via the diagonal White exposed with g3. 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 - keep's White from losing a piece. If 3. d3 dxe4 4. dxe4 Qxd1+ 5. Kxd1 -. If White insists on 3. Bg2, 3...dxe4 4. Bxe4 Nf6 5. Bg2 Nc6 - and Black has more development and space. References