Raphael Variation

The Raphael Variation, 2. Nc3, puts the queen's knight on a square from which it eyes e4, the point that Black's first move was meant to control. It is a sideline, but a principled one. White develops a piece and fights for the center without committing to the usual c4 and kingside fianchetto. Common follow-ups are Bg5 with e3, close to Hopton Attack setups, or an early e4. The engine gives White a slight edge.

By far the most frequent reply is 2...Nf6, which holds e4 with a piece. After 3. Bg5, the routine 3...h6 is an error, because 4. Bxf6 exf6 5. e4 wrecks Black's structure and puts pressure on f5. With 2...e6 or 2...g6, Black stops contesting e4 and aims for a Stonewall or Leningrad formation, sometimes delaying ...Nf6. The less common 2...d5 guards e4 with a pawn but leaves a permanent hole on e5, which 3. Bf4 exploits. It also allows 3. e4, the Kingfisher Gambit. After 3...dxe4, play enters the Netherlands Variation of the Blackmar-Diemer, where traps abound. One example is 4. Bg5 h6? 5. Qh5+ Kd7 6. Bc4, with a decisive attack on Black's king.