Ero sivun ”Shakki/rnbqkb1r;pppppppp;5n2;8;3P4;8;PPP1PPPP;RNBQKBNR w KQkq” versioiden välillä

{{Käännettävä}}▼

Black's 1...Nf6 in response to 1.d4 is characteristic of the various "Indian" defenses. Unlike 1...d5, which fights for the center in traditional fashion by occupying it with pawns, Indian systems reflect the hypermodern approach to opening theory. In such openings, Black often allows White to construct a classical pawn center, but then attempts to attack it with pieces and undermine it with timely pawn advances. By delaying the movement of his own central pawns, Black retains a certain degree of flexibility at the cost of ceding the center to White.▼

It should be noted that while 1...Nf6 often leads to Indian systems, transpositions back into other openings such as the Queen's Gambit are not uncommon. As in any opening, both players should remain aware of these possibilities.▼

The main continuation for White is 2. c4. In fact, there are many playable moves at this point, but most of them either transpose back into a typical 2. c4 position or into other more or less orthodox 1. d4 openings. Some lines such as 2. Bg5 may lead to strange positions, but even these may transpose or become similar to other mainstream 1. d4 openings.▼

To play 1. d4 well as white, white should learn the basic Queen's Gambit positions, the King's Indian, Queen's Indian, and Nimzo-Indian positions, and perhaps be familiar with some of the Benoni positions. This may seem intimidating to the beginner, but fortunately it is not as difficult as it may at first sound. Also, there are several practical advantages to becoming familiar with playing 1. d4 as white:▼

* 1. d4 openings tend to be more forgiving than 1. e4 openings as far as traps are concerned. Pieces should be mobilized quickly, but it is less common for a natural-looking move to lead to a sudden demise.▼

* While there are many transpositions between the different 1. d4 openings, this is true because the underlying strategic goals are very similar. The Queen's Indian has much in common with some of the main variations of the Queen's Gambit Declined--much more so than the typical Caro-Kann has with the French Defense or Ruy Lopez in the 1. e4 world.▼

* Even today, at least at amateur levels (judging by an average night of play on Yahoo) the 1. d4 openings are still less frequently encountered than 1. e4 openings. On the amateur level, familiarity with some of the main themes in 1. d4 can give one an advantage--just don't expect to pull a 4-move checkmate on someone.▼

Hopefully this gives some background as to why 2. c4 is the main move discussed in opening books. Feel free to play 2. Nf3, 2. Nc3, or even 2. c3, 2. Bf4, or 2. Bg5. Even so, learning the main positions (and, more importantly, the strategies) arising from 2. c4 will not be time wasted.▼