Center Game: Normal Variation
ECO C22 ยท Center Game
The Center Game: Normal Variation (C22) is a chess opening in the Center Game family, played by White. It arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6.
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6
About this opening
The Normal Variation (1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6) is the base position of the Center Game: White recaptures the pawn with the queen, which is at once attacked by ...Nc6 and loses a tempo retreating. In return, White opens the game quickly and can aim for long castling. It is a classical trade-off between accelerated development and early queen exposure.