Chess opening · ECO A40
Horwitz Defense
1...e6 opens the diagonal for the f8 bishop and supports a later ...d5, but it says almost nothing about the final setup. The move is a transposition tool. Depending on White's second move, the game can turn into a French Defense, a Queen's Gambit Declined, a Dutch with ...f5, or a line where the bishop checks from b4.
- Rank by weighted share
- #19 of 159
Key moves
1. d4 e6
- 1... e6The e-pawn steps forward one square, so the f8 bishop can reach b4, d6 or e7 and the king is one move closer to castling. Black keeps the d-pawn, the c-pawn and the f-pawn at home, ready for whichever structure fits White's reply.
If White plays 2.e4
After 2.e4 d5 the board shows a French Defense. Black's pawns on e6 and d5 then lean against White's e4 pawn, and the c8 bishop stays behind the e6 pawn, a familiar French trade-off.
If White plays 2.c4
Here Black has the widest menu. 2...Nf6 heads for Nimzo-Indian or Queen's Indian setups, 2...d5 gives a Queen's Gambit Declined, and 2...f5 builds a Dutch with the e6 pawn already backing up the f-pawn.
2...Bb4+ is a direct alternative. The check along the b4 to e1 diagonal works because the d2 pawn has already left, and White usually answers by blocking on d2 or c3.
Top replies by rating
e4 leads below 1400, inviting the French. From 1400 up, c4 takes over and its share keeps climbing, while Nf3 gains ground in the top bands.
Questions
Why not just play 1...Nf6 or 1...d5?
Those moves commit sooner. 1...e6 lets a French player meet 2.e4 with familiar positions, while still having Queen's Gambit and Dutch structures ready if White stays on the queenside.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.