Keene Defense

The Keene Defense, 1. g4 d5 2. h3 e5 3. Bg2 c6, answers White's cautious 2. h3 by building a broad d5–e5–c6 center. The pawn on c6 supports d5 so that ...e4 can follow, cutting the g2-bishop off from the center. The main line runs 4. d4 e4 5. c4 Bd6 6. Nc3 Ne7, a reversed French structure, which is why Richard Palliser prefers 3...Nc6. The engine rates Black clearly better, though Lichess results are nearly even.