Theoria
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London System

Poisoned Pawn Variation

D02gambittactical

  1. 1.d4Nf6
  2. 2.Nf3d5
  3. 3.Bf4c5
  4. 4.e3Qb6
  5. 5.Nc3
544 games51%44%

A London System line where White answers ...c5 and ...Qb6 with 5. Nc3, leaving the b2-pawn en prise; grabbing it is considered risky for Black.

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About the Poisoned Pawn Variation

After 4...Qb6, White ignores the attack on b2 and plays 5. Nc3, offering the pawn for development. Taking it with 5...Qxb2 is considered dubious: after 6. Nb5 Na6 7. a3 Bf5 8. dxc5 Bxc2 9. Qc1 Qxc1+ 10. Rxc1 White's c-pawn is judged too strong, and White scores heavily after the capture in practice. The most popular reply is 5...a6, covering b5 first, while 5...cxd4 is also seen. The engine considers the position roughly balanced.

Popular continuations