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
Australian Defense
A knight on the rim at move one
- Offbeat
After 1.d4 Black answers 1…Na6 and puts the knight on the edge of the board. The idea is to hold the pawns back, aim the knight at b4 and c7, and keep the choice between …c6, …e5 and other set-ups open. It is a rarity for a reason: on a6 the knight does nothing for the centre, and White can simply take space. People play it for surprise, not because it is good.
3…d5
Moves
(6 plies • 3 moves)- 1–3moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Defining move
1…Na6 — the knight goes to the edge
The move that makes it odd
The knight on a6 eyes b4 and c7 but controls no central square. In return Black has not committed any pawns and can switch to a set-up with …c6 and …d5, or answer with …e5. The price of that flexibility is plain: White's f1 bishop can trade itself for the knight on a6 and wreck Black's pawns.
Tabiya
A Caro–Kann structure with an awkward knight
White has pawns on e4 and d4 and a knight on c3; Black has c6 and d5, as in the Caro–Kann. The difference is that Black's knight stands on a6, not on f6 or d7. White can play e5 and gain space, or exchange on d5. Black must bring the knight back into play via c7 and reach a level game, but White has the easier job.
White’s plan
- Take the centre with e4 and d4 and develop calmly.
- Keep Bxa6 in mind when it spoils Black's pawns.
- Meet …c6 and …d5 as against the Caro–Kann, for instance with e4-e5, and take space.
Black’s plan
- Build the …c6 and …d5 structure, or answer with …e5.
- Bring the knight back via c7, or use b4 for it.
- Hope the opponent is thrown by the unusual first move.
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