< Chess Opening Theory < 1. d4
Queen's Knight Defence
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

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Moves: 1.d4 Nc6
ECO code: A40
Parent: Queens Pawn Opening

Queen's Knight Defence

1...Nc6

This move is rarely played, it prepares a possible e5 for Black, however the Black Knight is often exposed to a being moved by White playing d5 at some stage or loses a tempo to pawns moving to occupy the centre. On the plus side Black's pawn structure remain flexible.

White has a number of choices.

  • 2. e4 A common reply and transposes into a Nimzowitsch Defence.
  • 2. Nf3 this prevents Black's immediate e5.
  • 2. c4 exerting extra pressure on the d5 square.
  • 2. d5 Moving the pawn again and directly challenging the Knight.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation

1.d4 Nc6

2 3 4
Nimzowitsch Defence
by transposition
e4 See 1.e4 Nc6 2.d4
Chigorin Defence
by transposition
Nf3
d5
c4
Bg4
cxd5
Bxf3
+=
d5
Ne5
e4
e6
f4
Ng6
+=
c4
e5
d5
Nce7
e4
Ng6
=

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References

    • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.
    • Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.
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