What are the moves of the Center Game: Normal Variation?

1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6. After these moves it is white to move.

What variations come from the Center Game: Normal Variation?

Named continuations include Center Game: Hall Variation, Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation, Center Game: Berger Variation, Center Game: l'Hermet Variation, Center Game: Charousek Variation. There are 6 named variations reachable from this position in total.

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Chess Openings

Center Game: Normal Variation

1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 · ECO C22

♜♝♛♚♝♞♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♞♕♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♖♘♗♔♗♘♖

Center Game: Normal Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6. It is classified C22 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Center Game opens the centre at once with 2.d4. After 2...exd4 3.Qxd4 the queen comes out early and is chased by Nc6, so White typically retreats to e3 and castles queenside for an attacking setup.

Strategic character

Sharp and unbalanced, at the cost of early queen exposure. White plays for a direct attack with opposite-side castling; Black plays against the exposed queen and generally equalises with accurate play.

Who should play it

Attacking players who value practical chances and surprise over objective evaluation.

This line is a variation within the Center Game family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6.

Variations continuing from this position

Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation?: The Center Game: Normal Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6. It is classified C22 in the ECO system. The Center Game opens the centre at once with 2.d4. After 2...exd4 3.Qxd4 the queen comes out early and is chased by Nc6, so White typically retreats to e3 and castles queenside for an attacking setup.
What are the moves of the Center Game: Normal Variation?: 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Center Game: Normal Variation good for beginners?: Attacking players who value practical chances and surprise over objective evaluation.
What variations come from the Center Game: Normal Variation?: Named continuations include Center Game: Hall Variation, Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation, Center Game: Berger Variation, Center Game: l'Hermet Variation, Center Game: Charousek Variation. There are 6 named variations reachable from this position in total.