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Hungarian Opening

Myers Defense

A00offbeat

  1. 1.g3g5
1,952 games57%39%

The Myers Defense, 1...g5 against the Hungarian Opening, is an offbeat reply that grabs kingside space at the cost of loosening Black's position.

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About the Myers Defense

The Myers Defense, 1...g5, answers the Hungarian Opening with a two-square advance of the g-pawn rather than the symmetrical 1...g6. Black gains kingside space and can still develop the bishop on g7. The pawn on g5 loosens the squares around Black's king, however, and can become a target. White almost always continues 2. Bg2, while 2. Nf3 and 2. b3 are far less common. The engine gives White a slight edge, and White scores well in practice.

Popular continuations