Amsterdam Attack

The Amsterdam Attack is a sideline of 1. e3, classified under ECO code A00 among the irregular first moves. After 1. e3 e5 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. b3 Nf6, White has built a modest setup with pawns on b3, c4 and e3. Black has taken the center with ...e5 and ...d6 and developed both knights to their natural squares. Material is level and White is to move.

The second move separates this line from other treatments of 1...e5. Answering with 2. d4 leads to a French Defense with colors reversed, while 2. e4 reaches the familiar double king's pawn position a full tempo down, since Black is the one to move. With 2. c4 White avoids both and steers toward English Opening territory, where the c-pawn opposes Black's e-pawn as in a Sicilian with colors reversed. The pawn on e3 makes the structure more restrained than the usual English, because it controls d4 and supports a later d4 advance but blocks the c1-bishop's original diagonal.

4. b3 is the defining move. It opens b2 for the dark-squared bishop, which from there aims down the long diagonal at e5 and the black kingside. Together with c4 and e3, the fianchetto lets White fight for the dark central squares without committing the d-pawn, keeping the choice between a slow d3 and a more active d4. The king's knight stays flexible and can develop to f3 or e2. Black's classical development with ...e5, ...d6, ...Nc6 and ...Nf6 gives a solid center and easy piece play. Natural continuations include completing kingside development and castling, and later expanding with ...d5 or on the kingside, using the space advantage before White's setup is complete.

Despite its name, the line does not lead to an early attack. The middlegames are slow and maneuvering, and the outcome depends more on understanding the structure than on concrete theory. White accepts a passive start in return for a compact position that keeps central options open. The line has little established theory and is played mainly by those who like the hypermodern idea of meeting a classical center from the flanks.