Openings
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
- VOL. VI • Tactics & StrategyForks, Pins & Board Geometry
Canard Opening
The f4 pawn against the f6 knight: a Dutch-style set-up with White
- Offbeat
After 1.d4 Nf6 White plays 2.f4 and builds a position in the spirit of the Dutch Defence, with an extra move. The f4 pawn holds e5 and prepares play on the kingside. The price is easy to see too: the a7–g1 diagonal and the e4 square are weakened. The opening is rare and quiet, picked mostly for the unusual set-up.
4…c5
Moves
(8 plies • 4 moves)- 1–4moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
Defining move
2.f4 — the Dutch pawn for White
The move that defines it
The f4 pawn takes e5 from Black and gets in the way of the f6 knight's jump to e4 for now. But it opens the a7–g1 diagonal and loosens the kingside. That is why White usually builds a closed set-up and does not hurry to attack.
Tabiya
A Stonewall with the white pieces
White has built pawns on d4, e3 and f4 and developed the knight to f3. Black has played …e6 and …d5 and hit d4 with …c5. White has a sturdy centre and a grip on e5. But the c1 bishop is shut in and a black knight can settle on e4. Each side plays against a weak square of the other.
White’s plan
- Hold e5 with pawns and a knight and play Bd3 and castling.
- Free the c1 bishop with c3 or b3 and Bb2.
- Prepare a kingside attack once the pieces are developed.
Black’s plan
- Take the centre with …d5 and …e6 and castle calmly.
- Hit d4 with …c5 and challenge the centre.
- Plant a knight on e4 and use the weak square.
Games in the Atlas
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