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
Carr Defense
A waiting move for Black, with no fight for the centre
- Offbeat
1…h6 is a rare reply to 1.e4. The move takes g5 away from White's pieces and leaves Black room to manoeuvre, but it does not claim the centre or develop anything. It is generally regarded as a weak choice: White gains a free tempo for development. It is played mainly to reach an unusual position.
3…Nf6
Moves
(6 plies • 3 moves)- 1–3moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Defining move
1…h6 — a rook pawn instead of a fight for the centre
The move that sets the character
The pawn goes to h6, and no white knight or bishop will settle on g5. But the move spends a tempo and does nothing for the centre, so White usually replies 2.d4 and takes it. Black has to catch up: develop first and decide later how to play against White's centre.
Tabiya
A Pirc-style position with an extra …h6
White has the centre, and Black sets up with …d6 and …Nf6 as in the Pirc, only with an unnecessary pawn on h6. White is better developed and has more space. Black's position holds together, but Black has to show that the h6 move was good for something.
White’s plan
- Take the centre with d4 and Nc3 and develop without hurry.
- Do not let Black settle into a comfortable set-up: a quick f2-f4, or Be3 and Qd2.
- Castle and use the extra space.
Black’s plan
- Develop with …d6, …Nf6, …g6 and a bishop on g7.
- Place the bishop on g4 or f5 if White allows it.
- Often castle long and look for a counterstrike.
Games in the Atlas
No games in the Atlas yet