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Train this openingAbout this opening
Black has defended e5 with a pawn instead of a piece. It is solid but passive, because the bishop on f8 has no good square while a pawn sits on d6. That gives you a free hand. Bc4 is the most played move here. It points straight at f7, which this setup defends poorly. d4 is the principled break and scores best of the main moves, opening the center while the black pieces are still at home. h3 stops the pin before it happens, and that matters, because pinning your knight is Black's most natural way to relieve the cramp.
Plans
- Break with d4 while the black bishop still sits on f8.
- Aim at f7 with Bc4, the square this setup leaves loose.
- Play h3 to stop the bishop pinning your knight.
- Castle short, then double rooks on the open file.
Where the pieces belong
- Pawn: d4, the break against a cramped position
- Bishop: c4, pointed at f7
- Knight: c3, holding e4 and d5
- Pawn: h3, taking g4 from the bishop
- Rook: d1, on the file the break opens
You get more space and the easier game. Black's whole problem is that bishop, so trade pieces while it stays passive and open the center when it does not.