Symmetrical Defense

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Symmetrical Defense
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Moves1.d4 d5 2.c4 c5
ECO D06
Origin1604, Alessandro Salvio
Named after Austria
Parent Queen's Gambit
Synonym(s)Austrian Defense

The Symmetrical Defense (or Austrian Defense) is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. d4 d5
2. c4 c5

First described in print by Alessandro Salvio in 1604, the opening is often called the Austrian Defense because it was studied by Austrian chess players including Hans Haberditz (c. 1901–57), Hans Müller (1896–1971), and GM Ernst Grünfeld. [1]

The Symmetrical Defense is an uncommon variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined. It poses the purest test of Queen's Gambit theory—whether Black can equalize by simply copying White's moves. Most opening theoreticians believe that White should gain the advantage and at best Black is playing for a draw. [2]

Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura employed the unusual opening a few times in 2023 and 2024. With the opening, he drew former world champion Magnus Carlsen in the Champions Chess Tour 2023 finals and beat reining world champion Ding Liren in Norway Chess 2024. [3] [4] He employed a similar opening in the Candidates Tournament 2024, beating R Praggnanandhaa with the black pieces in a game beginning with 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 c5. [5] Nakamura defeated Luca Moroni and drew against Bogdan-Daniel Deac with the opening in the 2024 World Rapid Chess Championship. [6]

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

3.cxd5

White often replies 3.cxd5, but other moves are playable and may lead to transpositions into more well-known variations such as the Queen's Gambit Accepted and the Tarrasch Defense. After 3.cxd5 it is not advisable for Black to play 3...Qxd5, because either 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Nc3 Qa5 6.Nxd4 or 5...Qd8 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 give White a big lead in development. [7] Instead, Black should play 3...Nf6 intending to recapture on d5 with his knight. White should be able to maintain the advantage with either 4.Nf3 or 4.e4. Possible continuations are 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nxd5 6.e4 Nc7 or 4.e4 Nxe4 5.dxc5 Nxc5 6.Nc3 e6. [8] [9]

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References

  1. ↑ Hooper, David; Whyld, Kenneth (1996), "Austrian Defence", The Oxford Companion to Chess , Oxford University, ISBN   0-19-280049-3
  2. ↑ Korn, Walter (1982), "Queen's Gambit Declined", Modern Chess Openings (Twelfth ed.), David McKay, p. 266, ISBN   0-679-13500-6
  3. ↑ Anthony Levin (11 December 2023). "Carlsen Beats World Numbers 2 And 3 Back To Back". Chess.com.
  4. ↑ Colin McGourty (1 June 2024). "Nakamura Crosses 2800, World No. 2 As Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa Also Win". Chess.com.
  5. ↑ Anthony Levin (18 April 2024). "Nepomniachtchi, Tan Regain Sole Lead, Nakamura Beats Praggnanandhaa". Chess.com.
  6. ↑ "World Rapid Championship (2024) (games of Hikaru Nakamura)".
  7. ↑ Pachman, Luděk (1982), The Opening Game in Chess, Routledge & Kegan Paul, p. 140, ISBN   0-7100-9222-9
  8. ↑ Nunn, John, ed. (1999), "1 d4 d5 and Unusual Replies to the Queen's Gambit", Nunn's Chess Openings, Everyman Chess, p. 365, ISBN   1-85744-221-0
  9. ↑ Kasparov, Garry; Keene, Raymond (1994) [1989], "Queen's Gambit", Batsford Chess Openings 2, Henry Holt, p. 80, ISBN   0-8050-3409-9
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