Rat Defense
abcdefgh
8
a8 black rook
b8 black knight
c8 black bishop
d8 black queen
e8 black king
f8 black bishop
g8 black knight
h8 black rook
a7 black pawn
b7 black pawn
c7 black pawn
f7 black pawn
g7 black pawn
h7 black pawn
d6 black pawn
e5 black pawn
c4 white pawn
d4 white pawn
a2 white pawn
b2 white pawn
e2 white pawn
f2 white pawn
g2 white pawn
h2 white pawn
a1 white rook
b1 white knight
c1 white bishop
d1 white queen
e1 white king
f1 white bishop
g1 white knight
h1 white rook
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Moves1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5
ECOA41
ParentOld Indian Defense

The Rat Defense, English Rat[1][2] is an irregular Queen's Pawn Game chess opening characterised by the initial moves:

1. d4 d6
2. c4 e5

The position can also arise from an English Opening move order 1.c4 d6 2.d4 e5.

Another possible move order can be reached via the Englund Gambit: 1. d4 e5 2. c4 d6.

The "English Rat" has been played by top players such as Aronian, Anand, Svidler, Rapport, and Smirin.

While 3.dxe5 dxe5 4. Qxd8 transposing into an endgame may initially appear to be favourable for white as black king won't be able to castle, the pawn on c4 will be restricting mobility of the white squire bishop so the endgame is comfortable for black to maintain equality.

Gambit lines

  • Lisbon Gambit:[3][4] 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3. dxe5 Nc6, which usually continues 4. exd6 Bxd6 or (4...Qxd6).
  • Pounds Gambit:[5] 1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Be6

See also

Related openings:

References

  1. "Rat Defense English Rat - Chess Opening".
  2. "Queen's Pawn Opening: English Rat Defense - Chess Openings".
  3. "Queen's Pawn Opening: English Rat, Lisbon Gambit - Chess Openings".
  4. "Rat Defense English Rat Lisbon Gambit - Chess Opening".
  5. "English Rat Pounds Gambit - Chess Opening".

Bibliography

  • Jouni Yrjölä and Jussi Tella (2001). An Explosive Chess Opening Repertoire for Black. Gambit Publications Ltd. ISBN 1-901983-501.
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