Chess opening · ECO D01
Rapport-Jobava System
The Jobava setup combines Nc3 and Bf4 against 1...d5 and 2...Nf6. Both pieces point at the queenside, and the first threat is concrete: Nb5 adds a second attacker on c7, the square the f4 bishop already watches. Behind that, White can play e3, Qd2 or Qf3, castle queenside, and push the kingside pawns. It is a sharp, unbalanced way to meet a quiet Black setup.
- Rank by weighted share
- #142 of 159
Key moves
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4
- 2. Nc3The knight comes to c3 before the bishop, blocking the c-pawn. It prepares both e4 and a jump to b5, and it keeps open the choice between a Veresov with Bg5 and this system with Bf4.
- 3. Bf4The bishop on f4 already eyes c7, and the c3 knight is one jump from b5. With Nb5 next, White would hit c7 twice, forking ideas against the a8 rook and the king, so Black has to take this threat into account.
The Nb5 jump and the c7 square
Suppose Black plays 3...e6. White can answer 4.Nb5, and now both the knight and the bishop attack c7. Black covers it with 4...Na6, or blocks the bishop's diagonal with 4...Bd6, which also offers to trade on d6.
This is the point of ...a6 and ...c6 in this position. Each takes the b5 square from the knight before it can land there.
Opposite-side castling plans
White often plays e3, Bd3 or Bb5, and Qd2, then castles queenside. With the king on c1, White can push the g and h pawns, with g4 and g5 meant to drive away the f6 knight. Black usually strikes in the center with ...c5 or chooses a calm structure with ...c6 and ...Bf5.
Covering c7 with the a6 knight
3... e6 4. Nb5 Na6 5. e3
Black guards c7 with the knight from a6, so the b5 knight has no immediate target. White calmly plays e3, which opens a path for the f1 bishop.
Top replies by rating
Nc6 leads below 1400 and e6 has the largest share or ties for it from 1400 to 1999. At 2000 and up, c6 leads with Bf5 second.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Nc6 52% | e6 35% | a6 13% |
| 1200–1399 | Nc6 28% | e6 25% | a6 23% |
| 1400–1599 | e6 23% | a6 23% | Bf5 16% |
| 1600–1799 | e6 27% | a6 21% | Bf5 19% |
| 1800–1999 | e6 27% | c6 22% | Bf5 21% |
| 2000 and up | c6 48% | Bf5 31% | a6 21% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.