Max Lange Defense

The idea

Black plays 2...Nc6, defending e5 with a piece. White's main options are the sharp 3.f4, the classical 3.Bc4, and the slow 3.g3 (the Paulsen Variation).

Both Wikipedia and Lichess's opening database call 2...Nc6 the Max Lange Defense.

Plans for White

With 3.Bc4, White aims at f7 and keeps options of f4 or Qg4. With 3.f4, White opens the f-file for an attack. With 3.g3, White plays a slow, positional game.

Plans for Black

Develop with ...Nf6 or ...Bc5 and castle. Against 3.Bc4, the symmetrical 3...Bc5 is natural, but Black must then watch g7. Against 3.g3, a simple setup with ...Nf6, ...Bc5 and ...d5 is enough.

Watch out for

For Black, g7 in the Symmetrical Variation. After 3.Bc4 Bc5, 4.Qg4 attacks g7, which the bishop on c5 no longer defends.

For White, playing f4 too early without enough development. Black can hit back with ...exf4 and ...d5 or ...Qh4+.