De Bruycker Defense

The De Bruycker Defense, 2...Na6, postpones ...d5 so the queen's knight can travel via a6 to c7, since c6 is already taken by the pawn. The maneuver costs two tempi. The most frequent reply, 3. Bxa6, achieves little. Black inserts 3...Qa5+ and follows with ...Qxa6, which avoids doubled pawns and keeps the bishop pair. White makes better use of the slow move with 3. Nf3 or 3. c4. Engines give White a slight edge.