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Train this openingAbout this opening
White fianchettoes on move one and aims the bishop at your kingside from b2, conceding the center to get an unusual position early. e5 is the most played reply here and it is the most testing: you take the center and block the diagonal the bishop just opened, which takes the sting out of the whole system. d5 is equally sound. Look at the score, which is one of the better ones Black gets against anything: the setup is playable but it gives up the center voluntarily, and taking what is offered is usually enough for a comfortable game.
Plans
- Play e5 to take the center and block the long diagonal.
- Support the center with d5 and Nc6 before developing further.
- Watch the bishop on b2, which is aimed at your kingside.
- Castle short and use your central pawns to gain space.
Where the pieces belong
- Pawn: e5, the center taken and the diagonal blocked
- Pawn: d5, the second center pawn
- Knight: c6, supporting both center pawns
- Bishop: d6, defending e5 and eyeing the kingside
- Knight: f6, completing development
You take the center and White plays on the flanks. Keep the long diagonal blocked and the bishop on b2 spends the game staring at your pawn instead of your king.