150 Attack: Be3, Qd2 is variation 3 of 5 in the Pirc and Modern Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO B07). It runs 22 moves and begins 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3 Bg7 …. White plays Be3, Qd2, f3 and Bh6 to trade off the g7 bishop and attack. Black delays castling, expands on the queenside with ...c6 and ...b5, and strikes with ...e5. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... d6 – The Pirc.
2. d4 – White builds the centre.
2... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
3. Nc3 – White defends e4.
3... g6 – Black prepares ...Bg7.
4. Be3 – The 150 Attack: White prepares Qd2 and Bh6 to trade Black's best bishop.
4... Bg7 – Black fianchettoes anyway; the bishop is still useful even if White trades it later.
5. Qd2 – White connects the queen and bishop, preparing Bh6.
5... c6 – Black prepares ...b5 and keeps the king in the centre for now, so that White's Bh6 and h4-h5 attack has no target yet.
6. f3 – White supports e4 and prepares g4 and h4.
6... b5 – Black gains queenside space, preparing ...Nbd7, ...Bb7 and ...b4 to chase the c3 knight.
7. Nge2 – The knight develops to e2, keeping f3 for the pawn and supporting d4.
7... Nbd7 – Black develops and supports ...e5.
8. Bh6 – White trades off the g7 bishop, Black's best defender.
8... Bxh6 – Black takes, so that White's queen has to spend a move recapturing.
The lesson goes on for 6 more moves, each with its explanation.
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