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
Lemming Defense
A knight to the rim and a bet on doubled pawns
- Offbeat
After 1.e4 Black plays 1…Na6. A knight on the rim is not the best place for it, and the opening knows it: it is considered weak. The idea is that if White takes the knight with the bishop, Black gets doubled pawns, an open b-file and counter-chances. The opening is played rarely, for surprise.
3…e6
Moves
(6 plies • 3 moves)- 1–3moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Defining move
1…Na6 — the knight to the rim
The move that defines the Lemming
From a6 the knight eyes b4 and c5 but does nothing in the centre yet. White can simply develop or take the knight with the bishop: after 2.Bxa6 bxa6 Black has doubled pawns on the a-file, but the b-file is open and the c8 bishop is free. Playing this way trades structure for activity.
Tabiya
Doubled pawns and an open b-file
White has given up the bishop for the knight, developed Nf3 and holds the centre. Black has two pawns on the a-file, but gets the open b-file and prepares …Bb7 to press on e4. White should use the better structure; Black needs counterplay before the weaknesses become a problem.
White’s plan
- Develop and take the centre: Nf3, d4, Nc3.
- Use Black's doubled pawns if they appear.
- Not rush the attack and not let Black play …c5 unprepared.
Black’s plan
- Bring the knight back into play: …Nc5 or …Nb4.
- Take the centre with …e6 and …d5 and develop the bishop.
- Use the open b-file and the pieces for counterplay.
Games in the Atlas
No games in the Atlas yet