Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...c6

Queen's Pawn opening 1.d4 c6 A40 Queens Pawn Opening 1...c6 1...c6 is a transpositional tool. Black gives White the option of changing their mind and playing an e4 opening instead. After 2. c4, Black can play 2...d5 and transpose into a Slav defence, as if they had played 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6. With this move order, White has the option of 2. e4, where 2...d4 will transpose into a Caro-Kann, as if they had played 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5. However, if White plays something else, like 2. Bf4, going for a Accelerated London-style set-up where Black might like to play ...c5 at some point, they may regret having given up a tempo on ...c6 now. Theory table 1. d4 c6 2 3 4 5 6 7 Slav Defence c4d5 Nf3Nf6 Nc3dxc4 a4Bf5 e3e6 Bxc4Bb4 = Caro-Kann Defence e4d5 Nc3dxe4 Nxe4Bf5 Ng3Bg6 Nf3Nd7 h4h6 = Queen's Pawn References See also