Gurgenidze Defense

The idea

After 3.Nc3 c6 4.f4 d5 5.e5 h5, the center is closed. Black's ...c6 and ...d5 hit e4 as in the Caro-Kann, and after White pushes e5, ...h5 stops White's g4 and gains space on the kingside. It's named after Bukhuti Gurgenidze.

Plans for White

Develop with Nf3, Be3 or Bd3, and keep the pawn chain. White has more space, and the plan is to play on the queenside or prepare f5 when it's ready. Bd3, Be3 and Nf3 are all natural sixth moves, and none of them commits the pawns further.

Plans for Black

Develop with ...Nh6 and ...Bg4, or ...Bf5, and aim for ...c5 to hit d4. Black's light-squared bishop gets out before ...e6, and Black's pieces aim at the light squares around White's center.

Watch out for

For Black, the bishop on g7. With White's pawns on e5 and f4, the bishop bites on a closed center, so Black needs ...c5 or ...f6 to open it up.

For White, the light squares. Black's pieces can settle on f5 and g4, so be careful when moving the knight from f3 or the bishop from e2.