Veresov, Richter Attack

The position arises from the Paleface Attack, 2. f3, in which White meets the Indian Defense by preparing e2-e4. After the usual 2...d5, which adds a second guard to e4, the knight move 3. Nc3 brings another attacker to that square. If White achieves e4 and Black captures, the game takes on the character of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: White gives up the e-pawn, recaptures or offers material on f3, and plays for rapid development and open lines against the kingside. The early f-pawn advance has costs. It takes f3 from the g1-knight and loosens White's kingside, and engines rate the position as slightly better for Black.

The three most common replies occur with almost equal frequency. 3...Bf5 places a bishop on e4 at once and makes the advance harder to carry out. 3...Nc6 develops while bearing down on d4, and 3...e6 builds a solid center that is ready to recapture with a pawn. The top engine choice is 3...c5, which hits d4 straight away and uses the slight lag in White's development. Lichess results are close to even, and draws are rare, which suits the open, double-edged play this line tends to produce.