Chess opening · ECO D00
Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation
After 1.d4 d5, the knight jump to c3 gives up the usual c4 push, since the c-pawn is now blocked. White aims for e4 instead, and gets quick development toward the center. This position is a hub: several well-known systems branch from it, and games here can end up in French or Caro-Kann structures by a different move order.
- Rank by weighted share
- #63 of 159
Key moves
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3
- 2. Nc3The knight covers e4 and d5 and prepares a central e4 push. Because it stands on c3, the c-pawn cannot go to c4, so White has chosen piece play over the queenside pressure of a Queen's Gambit.
Where the second move leads
After 2...Nf6 White picks a bishop square. Bg5, the Veresov, puts pressure on the f6 knight. Bf4 is the Rapport-Jobava System, with ideas of Nb5 against c7. And 3.e4 offers a pawn: after 3...dxe4 the board matches the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6.
French and Caro-Kann by transposition
If Black answers 2...e6 and White plays 3.e4, the board matches a French Defense after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3. Likewise 2...c6 3.e4 gives the Caro-Kann line 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3.
So a player who meets 2.Nc3 with ...e6 or ...c6 should be ready for those openings. A player of the white pieces who wants to stay out of them can choose a bishop move first instead of e4.
The Veresov bishop
2... Nf6 3. Bg5
The bishop does not pin the knight, because the e7 pawn stands between f6 and the queen. It aims at f6 and can capture there to double Black's pawns, and White may follow with f3 and e4.
Top replies by rating
Nf6 leads every band from 1200 up and its share climbs sharply at 2000 and up. From 1400 up, c6 joins the top three in place of Nc6.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | e6 28% | Nf6 28% | Nc6 17% |
| 1200–1399 | Nf6 36% | e6 29% | Nc6 12% |
| 1400–1599 | Nf6 36% | e6 30% | c6 10% |
| 1600–1799 | Nf6 37% | e6 28% | c6 11% |
| 1800–1999 | Nf6 41% | e6 25% | c6 17% |
| 2000 and up | Nf6 55% | c6 19% | e6 15% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.