3.Nf3 Bg4 4.cxd5: main line is variation 1 of 6 in the Chigorin Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO D07). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. cxd5 Bxf3 …. Black pins the f3 knight and trades it after 4.cxd5. White takes back toward the centre with the g-pawn and gets the bishop pair. Black wins the d5 pawn back and strikes with ...e5. A trade on c3 leaves White with weak pawns. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
1... d5 – Black claims an equal share of the centre.
2. c4 – The Queen's Gambit. The c-pawn attacks d5.
2... Nc6 – The Chigorin Defence. Black develops a knight and attacks d4 at once.
3. Nf3 – White develops and defends d4.
3... Bg4 – The main move. The bishop pins the knight that defends d4.
4. cxd5 – White takes on d5 and attacks the bishop's partner, the c6 knight.
4... Bxf3 – Black gives the bishop for the knight to win the d5 pawn back.
5. gxf3 – White takes back toward the centre. The g-file opens for a rook.
5... Qxd5 – The queen takes back and sits in the centre.
6. e3 – The right move. White protects d4 with a pawn.
6... e5 – Black strikes in the centre and opens the f8 bishop.
7. Nc3 – White develops with an attack on the queen.
7... Bb4 – The bishop pins the c3 knight, so the queen can stay on d5.
8. Bd2 – White breaks the pin.
8... Bxc3 – Black trades and gives White doubled c-pawns.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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