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
Global Opening
Two rim-pawn moves and not a piece in sight
- Offbeat
1.h3 e5 2.a3 is a rare pair of waiting moves. White develops nothing and takes no centre, but prepares the c4 pawn and a square for the knight on c3. People play it for surprise and an unusual set-up; theory regards the lost time as inaccurate.
3.c4
Moves
(5 plies • 3 moves)- 1–3moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Defining move
2.a3 — a second rim pawn in a row
The move that sets it apart from a plain 1.h3
After 1.h3 e5 the more natural move is 2.c4. But 2.a3 prepares c4 with a little extra: a bishop on b4 will no longer bother the knight, and the queenside gets room. The price is high: Black already holds the centre, and White has spent two moves on pawns at the edge.
Tabiya
White strikes at d5, Black holds the centre
Black has pawns on e5 and d5; White has c4 and the moves h3 and a3, which have achieved little so far. If Black takes on c4, White wins the pawn back with a piece; if Black plays …d4, Black gains space. Black need not hurry: the spare tempi are on Black's side, and plain development is enough.
White’s plan
- Play c4 and Nc3 to put pressure on d5.
- Develop and take the centre with e3, Nf3 and d4.
- Play for surprise and win back the lost time later.
Black’s plan
- Hold the centre with the e5 and d5 pawns.
- Develop knights and bishops and ignore the rim pawns.
- Sharpen the game with …d4 or …Nf6 when White is not ready.
Games in the Atlas
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