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
Marienbad System
A Queen's Indian set-up with …c5 thrown in early
- Fianchetto
- Set-up systems
Black puts a bishop on b7 and answers White's fianchetto at once with 4…c5. The pawn hits d4 before …e6 and …Be7 are played, so the centre is challenged without delay. It is a sideline of the Indian family: there is not much theory, and White has several sensible ways to answer.
6.Nxd4
Moves
(11 plies • 6 moves)- 1–6moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
Defining move
4…c5 — a strike at d4 without delay
The move that sets it apart from the ordinary Queen's Indian
Normally Black plays …e6 and …Be7 first. Here the c-pawn advances at once and sharpens the fight for the centre. The b7 and g2 bishops stare at each other along the long diagonal, and each side thinks how to use it. After d4-d5 the position closes; after c2-c4 and a capture on d4 the pieces get room.
Tabiya
5.c4 cxd4 6.Nxd4: an open centre
Black's c-pawn has traded itself off on d4, the white knight stands in the centre, and White has extra room on the queenside. The b7 bishop eyes the long diagonal, and Black can trade it on g2 or add pressure with …e6 and …Be7. White wants to use the space and the active pieces.
White’s plan
- Reply with c2-c4 and recapture with the knight on d4, gaining space.
- Finish development and castle, keeping the long diagonal under control.
Black’s plan
- Hit the centre with …c5 and open the c-file for a rook.
- Trade the bishop on g2 or add pressure with …e6 and …Be7.
- Finish development and castle.
Games in the Atlas
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