Chigorin Defence (2...Nc6) is variation 6 of 6 in the Queen's Gambit course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO D07). It runs 23 moves and begins 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. cxd5 Bxf3 …. Black develops the knight in front of the c-pawn and plays for piece activity. White takes on d5, gets the bishop pair after ...Bxf3, and uses the centre and open g-file. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – Takes the centre.
1... d5 – Black claims the centre.
2. c4 – The Queen's Gambit.
2... Nc6 – The Chigorin: quick development and pressure on d4, giving up the solid ...c6 or ...e6.
3. Nf3 – Develops and defends d4.
3... Bg4 – Pins the knight that defends d4.
4. cxd5 – Opens the c-file and forces Black to decide about the f3 knight.
4... Bxf3 – Black gives up the bishop pair to win back the pawn on d5.
5. gxf3 – Recaptures toward the centre: the pawn guards e4 and the g-file opens for a rook.
5... Qxd5 – Black regains the pawn with an active queen.
6. e3 – Supports d4 and opens the f1 bishop.
6... e5 – Black strikes at the centre to open lines for the pieces.
7. Nc3 – Develops with tempo on the queen.
7... Bb4 – Pins the knight and prepares to trade it.
8. Bd2 – Unpins and supports c3.
8... Bxc3 – Black trades so the queen is no longer hit by the knight.
The lesson goes on for 7 more moves, each with its explanation.
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