Marshall Counterattack

The Marshall Counterattack arises when Black, having chosen 2...e6 against 2. Nf3, meets 3. d4 with 3...d5 rather than the standard 3...cxd4. Instead of trading the c-pawn for White's d-pawn to obtain the usual Open Sicilian central majority, Black challenges e4 directly. In return the c5-pawn stays exposed to capture, and the center may open before Black has finished developing. Theory treats it as a minor sideline, though it is reached fairly often in online play, where Black's results are slightly better than White's. The engine nonetheless gives White a slight edge.

White's most common reply is 4. exd5, which releases the central tension while Black's king is still in the center. 4. dxc5 takes the pawn at once, leaving Black to spend time regaining it while White develops. Two other moves transpose to the French Defense. 4. Nbd2 leads to the Euwe-Keres Line of the Tarrasch Variation, Open System. 4. e5 reaches the Nimzowitsch System of the Advance Variation, a closed structure in which Black's counterplay is aimed at d4.