Theoria
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English Opening

King's English Variation, Keres Defense

A21solidpositional

  1. 1.c4e5
  2. 2.Nc3d6
  3. 3.g3c6
2,041 games53%43%

A modest Reversed Sicilian setup in the English Opening in which Black combines ...d6 with ...c6 to bolster e5 and contest the d5-square.

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About the Keres Defense

The Keres Defense, 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 c6, is a modest setup within the Reversed Sicilian. Black supports e5 with the d-pawn and uses ...c6 to contest d5, the square targeted by White's c-pawn, queen's knight and coming fianchetto. White almost always replies 4. Bg2, with 4. d4 and 4. e4 as rare alternatives. The engine gives White a slight edge, and White scores somewhat better in practice.

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