ECO code: B00
Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit
The opening moves are: 1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5 d6. This line arises from the Nimzowitsch Defense, where Black immediately challenges White’s center but allows White to capture on e5, offering a pawn gambit known as the de Smet Gambit.
Characteristic of the move 3...d6: Black aims to undermine White’s strong pawn on e5 by striking at its base and seeking rapid development. It’s a flexible counterattack that tries to regain the pawn while keeping pressure on White’s center.
Strategic nature: For Black, this variation is attacking and dynamic, focusing on challenging White’s central control early. For White, the game remains somewhat positional but requires careful handling to maintain the extra pawn and counter Black’s pressure.
Center control: This opening directly contests the center. White initially gains space with pawns on e4 and d4, but Black’s moves Nc6, e5, and d6 are all aimed at challenging and undermining White’s central presence. Therefore, the opening is very much about fighting for control of the center from the start.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, de Smet Gambit, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 10 - Move #7 black