Center Attack

For White · 26 moves (plies) in the main line

The Center Attack (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4) creates an open, tactical center where White gains space, develops quickly, and seeks active piece play.

Themes: open-center, central-space, tempo-gain, piece-development, tactical-pressure

Key ideas

  • 6.e5 drives the f6-knight away and claims space before White recaptures on d4.
  • After 8.cxd4, White has a central pawn on d4 and must complete development without losing coordination.
  • 9.Bd2 meets the check while preparing 10.Nbxd2 to restore material and connect the queenside pieces.
  • 12.Rc1 places a rook on the open c-file as Black begins pressure against White's center.

Plans for White

  • Use 6.e5 to gain tempo, then recapture with 8.cxd4 after Black's check.
  • After 10.Nbxd2, castle with 11.O-O and bring the rook to c1 with 12.Rc1.
  • Place the knight on b3 with 13.Nb3, reinforcing central squares and avoiding Black's active bishop.
  • Maintain the d4 pawn while using White's lead in space to coordinate pieces before opening lines.

Plans for Black

  • Black uses 6...d5 to strike White's advanced e5-pawn and challenge the center immediately.
  • 8...Bb4+ gains a tempo and helps Black provoke 9.Bd2 before exchanging on d2.
  • 10...Bg4 develops with pressure against White's knight and potential influence over d4.
  • 12...f6 and 13...Re8 attack the e5-pawn and organize play along the e-file.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Advancing with 6.e5 without being ready for 6...d5 can leave the central pawns overextended.
  • Failing to answer 8...Bb4+ accurately can disrupt White's development and delay recapturing the bishop.
  • Delaying 11.O-O leaves White's king in the center while Black builds pressure with 12...f6.
  • Ignoring the pressure created by 12...f6 and 13...Re8 can allow Black to undermine the e5-pawn.

Target ratings

At 1600–1800 blitz, 8% of opponents go wrong; the end-of-line engine evaluation is +0.6 pawns.

  • 1600–1800 blitz: +1.5 points above the other moves, over 6,902,991 games

Explored with: Lichess games at 1600–1800 blitz; practical search (aggressive risk); engine depth 14; 10 moves explored; from 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5; as White.

The main line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Be2 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Nxd2 10.Nbxd2 Bg4 11.O-O O-O 12.Rc1 f6 13.Nb3 Re8

Study and practice it

Play through the Center Attack move by move in Quick Review, or explore its branches in Deep Dive, right on this page. Sign up to add it to your repertoire and practice it with spaced repetition in Opening Lab.