Balogh Defense

The Balogh Defense, 1. e4 d6 2. d4 f5, uses the f-pawn instead of a central pawn to challenge e4. It gives the Rat Defense the flavor of a Dutch Defense, and it is classified under ECO A82. The same position can come from the Staunton Gambit move order, 1. d4 f5 2. e4, when Black declines the pawn with 2...d6. Engines give White a clear advantage. Over the board the results are less lopsided, with Black scoring respectably.

The most common reply is 3. Nc3, which adds a defender to e4 and develops. The capture 3. exf5 is almost as popular. It leaves Black with a central pawn majority, but Black's king is exposed and e6 becomes a hole, so the defense requires accurate play. The advance 3. e5 is played less often and gains space while keeping the center closed. In practice it produces the most even results of the three main moves.