Reversed Brooklyn

After the Reversed Krebs, 2...e4, the Reversed Brooklyn has White withdraw the attacked knight with 3. Ng1 rather than advance it to e5. The name mirrors the Brooklyn Variation of Alekhine's Defense, where Black's knight returns home in the same way. White's knight has used two moves to return to its starting square, so Black is on move in a symmetrical-looking position with an extra developing tempo and a space-gaining pawn on e4. Reference sources treat the retreat as an admission that 2. Nf3 achieved little. The engine gives Black a slight edge, though results in online play are almost exactly even.

Black's usual continuation is 3...d5, chosen in over three quarters of games. It supports the e4-pawn and stakes out the center, producing a structure resembling an Advance French with colors reversed and Black a tempo up. The sharper 3...f5 also reinforces e4, at some cost to kingside safety. 3...Nf6 is less common but gives Black the best results of the main replies. The engine's preferences are 3...d5, 3...Nf6 and 3...c6.