1.c4, 1.Nf3 and other first moves

Against flank openings you aim for the same QGD set-up: pawns on d5 and e6, knight f6, bishop e7, castle, then …c5. After 1.c4 play 1…e6 so that 2.d4 or 3.d4 leads straight into the QGD; against 1.Nf3 play 1…d5 and 2…e6. Against slower first moves (1.b3, 1.g3, 1.f4) just develop soundly.

15 min
1 step
Lesson 131 of 132

Six lines, one of them core:

1.c4 e6: steer into the QGD (core)
1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3: the Réti double fianchetto (important)
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3: King’s Indian Attack (important)
1.g3 (deeper)
1.b3: Nimzo-Larsen Attack (deeper)
1.f4: Bird’s Opening (deeper)

Learn takes up to five new lines at a time, core lines first. When the chapter is learned, practise it from memory.

1.c4, 1.Nf3 and other first moves The square arrow button opens this screen in the full trainer, with its menu and settings. Credit: Chess Trainer

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