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A Black Repertoire: Scandinavian and QGD · Kapilash Chess Academy

When White Defends d5: 3.c4

The ...c6 gambit

In this lesson you will learn

  • Why 3.c4 tries to keep the extra pawn
  • The gambit 3...c6: development for a pawn
  • Transposing to a Panov-type position with 4.d4
  • How Black uses the lead in development

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4.1 Hitting the Pawn Again

With 3.c4 White tries to hold the pawn on d5. Black answers 3...c6!, attacking it again. If White takes on c6, Black gets a big lead in development for the pawn. If White plays 4.d4, the game transposes to the Panov Attack of the Caro-Kann, where Black is fine.

Diagram 4.1White to move

Example 4.1 · White takes the pawn

Black offers a pawn for fast development.

After 4.dxc6 ♘xc6 Black's pieces fly out: ...e5 and ...♗c5, and after 7.♘f3 Black can even attack f2 at once with 7...♘g4. White's d3-pawn is weak and White's king will need care. Black has full compensation for the pawn.

Diagram 4.2White to move

Example 4.2 · 4.d4: the Panov structure

White declines the gambit and supports the centre.

Now Black plays against White's isolated d-pawn with ...♘c6, ...♗g4 and the knight on d5. These ideas are explained in the IQP lesson of the Middlegame course.

WarningDo not try to win the pawn back at any cost. In the gambit line Black's compensation is development and activity, not material.

Remember

  1. Against 3.c4, play 3...c6.
  2. After 4.dxc6 ♘xc6: development and activity for the pawn.
  3. After 4.d4 cxd5: a good Panov structure for Black.
  4. Use your lead in development quickly.

Exercises · Lesson 4

Each exercise comes from a position in this repertoire. Find the best move, then play it on the board.

Solve these 11 exercises on the boardCreate a free account to check your moves, open hints and solutions, and save your progress.
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Exercise 4.1Find the move
Black to move

White wants to keep the pawn with 3.c4. Find Black's thematic answer.

Exercise 4.2Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 8.dxc6. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.3Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 5.♕xc6+. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.4Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 5.♕xa7. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.5Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 6.♕xc6+. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.6Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 8.♘f3. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.7Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 7.d3. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.8Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 7.♘e5. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.9Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 7.♘g5. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.10Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 6.♘e4. How does Black punish it?

Exercise 4.11Find the move
Black to move

White has just played 9.♘xb5. How does Black punish it?