Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...Nf6/3. cxd5
Appearance
Marshall Defence | |
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 3. cxd5 |
3. cxd5
[edit | edit source]White takes the pawn. Black almost has to recover the pawn because of the control d5 exerts over his moves, but neither variation is very appealing:
- 3...Nxd5 allows 4. e4 when White has gained a tempo, the centre, and opened up lines for his pieces.
- 3...Qxd5 prevents white from obtaining a full pawn centre but results in 4. Nc3, winning a tempo anyway.
Because white is given a comfortable position regardless of what path black chooses, this opening is not seen very often at the professional level.
Black has also the option to play a gambit and aim at the center, with for instance 3...c6 4.dxc6 Nxc6 5.Nf3 e5!
Theory table
[edit | edit source].
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d5