Openings
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Kangaroo Defense
Check on move two and a flexible plan
- Offbeat
After 1.d4 e6 2.c4 Black checks at once with 2…Bb4+. The bishop puts a question to White and keeps the road open to several set-ups: Nimzo-Indian, Bogo-Indian, Dutch or Queen's Gambit structures. There is little theory and no fixed plan. People play it to reach a less prepared game. Against the usual reply 3.Bd2, White often keeps a small edge.
4…d5
Moves
(8 plies • 4 moves)- 1–4moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
Defining move
2…Bb4+ — a check and a question for White
The move that sets the Kangaroo apart from a plain 1…e6
The bishop comes out with check and makes White decide. The replies 3.Nc3, 3.Nd2 and 3.Bd2 lead to different openings, and Black can influence the choice. The usual reply is 3.Bd2, after which Black either trades bishops or keeps the bishop with the queen on e7.
Tabiya
3.Bd2 Qe7 4.e4: White's centre against Black's activity
White has a full pawn centre on c4, d4 and e4. The b4 bishop is covered by the queen on e7, and Black hits the centre at once with …d5. In the critical line 5.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 6.Qd2 Qxd2+ 7.Nbxd2 the queens come off and White has a small but lasting edge. Black wants to keep the tension and avoid that trade.
White’s plan
- Answer with 3.Bd2 and build the centre with e4.
- Trade queens if Black allows it and play the endgame with a small edge.
Black’s plan
- Cover the bishop with the queen on e7, or trade it on d2 as in the Bogo-Indian.
- Hit the centre with d5 and not let White gather the pawns in peace.
- Use the flexibility and choose a suitable structure.
History
The idea is old: Henry Thomas Buckle played it against Johann Löwenthal in a London match in 1851. Howard Staunton recommended the reply 3.Bd2. The opening also carries the name of Paul Keres, and Kangaroo is another name for the same start.
Games in the Atlas
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