Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

McDonnell Attack, Toilet Variation

B21offbeataggressive

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.f4d5
  3. 3.Nc3
1,467 games48%49%

A sideline of the McDonnell Attack in which White meets 2...d5 with 3. Nc3, defending e4 instead of taking or advancing; Black stands slightly better.

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About the Toilet Variation

The Toilet Variation answers Black's central strike 2...d5 with 3. Nc3. It guards e4 rather than exchanging with 3. exd5, which allows the Tal Gambit, or advancing with 3. e5. The name reputedly refers to where the move was devised. Black most often gains space with 3...d4, driving the knight from c3. The main alternative is 3...dxe4, which takes the pawn. Results are nearly even, though the engine gives Black a slight edge.

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