Accelerated Panov Attack, Open Variation

The Open Variation answers the Accelerated Panov Attack with 2...e5. Black claims central space with the king's pawn instead of contesting d5 at once. The position looks like a double king's pawn opening, but it differs in two respects. White has already committed the c-pawn to c4, which tightens control of d5. Black's pawn on c6 occupies the queen's knight's natural square. As a result, after 3. Nf3 Black cannot defend the e5-pawn with ...Nc6 and has to protect it another way.

The most frequent reply is 3. Nc3, which develops and adds another piece to the fight for d5, although Black has scored well against it in the database. The second choice, 3. Nf3, attacks e5 at once and gives White better results. The restrained 3. d3 is also common. Engines give White a slight edge and prefer Nf3, d4 or Nc3. Overall results on Lichess are almost exactly even, and draws are uncommon. The variation is a relatively minor branch, since 2...d5 remains Black's usual answer to 2. c4.