3 Check Opening Ideas For Black Against 2. c3
Plans and ideas:
- Play Qh4 after 2. c3 to pressure e4 when White doesn't have a convenient way to defend.
- If White does not defend f2 after Qh4 then you can sacrifice your Queen on f2.
- Try to prevent White from successfully playing d4 if possible. Always look for tactical solutions.
- If White tries to go for an early d4/d3 then Nd4 is often a strong counter.
- If White's Queen is on e2 then you can play b6 with the idea to play Ba6.
- Don't be afraid to sacrifice pieces for checks, the initiative, or to open lines towards White's King. Don't focus on material at all. Focus on creating threats, especially when you only need one more check.
Where to put your pieces:
- The Queen goes to h4 to pressure e4 and f2. Later you can drop the Queen back to either h6 or h5 when it is attacked.
- The Queenside Knight goes to c6. This is especially effective when White's Queen is on f3 as then Ne5 will come with tempo. Also look for opportunities to play Nd4 or Nb4.
- The Kingside Knight goes to f6. Later this Knight can jump into g4 to pressure f2/h2 and then possibly drop back to e5 to threaten checks on f3 and d3.
- The light squared Bishop can be developed to a6 when White's Queen is on e2. Otherwise this Bishop should go wherever it will be most effective.
- The dark squared Bishop can go to c5 with the idea to sacrifice it on f2.
- The King can castle Kingside or Queenside depending on what seems best at the time.
- The Queenside Rook is often used on the d-file
- The Kingside Rook should go wherever it's most effective.
