This is a defense for a strong defensive player, because black will begin the game being in a cramped position. Black will attempt to develop around their cramped position and white will attempt to prevent this while maintaining tension in the center.
- e4 e6
2. d4 d5
From this position, there are several major lines of play for white. 3. e4xd5, 3. Nc3, 3. Nd2, and 3. e5
This remainder of this post will look at 3. e4xd5
3. e4xd5 e6xd5
This is not the best variation for white because the positions are symmetrical, black is no longer cramped, and straightforward development can proceed. This is a great variation for black, however, because black is no longer cramped after this.
A typical line of play for black would be to attempt to break the symmetrical development and wrest the initiative from white:
4. Nf3 Bd6
5. Bd3 Nc6
6. c3 Ne7
7. 0-0 Bg4
8. Re1 Qd7
9. Bg5 f6
With 4…Bd6, black has gotten the initiative from white. 5…Nc6 attacks the pawn at d4. 6…Qd7 potentially connects the rooks on the back rank for black. With 7… Bg4, black pins the white knight at f3. Then f6 attacks the white bishop at g5. After this, black has better development, pressure in the center, and the initiative!
