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Practice: Hungarian Defense

Black plays ...Be7

Black develops the bishop to e7 - a solid but passive response. The Hungarian Defense avoids the sharp Italian lines but leaves Black with a cramped but safe position.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Be7
4. d4 exd4
5. c3 Na5
6. Bd3 dxc3
7. Nxc3 Nf6
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • White wants to control the central squares d4 and d5. Playing c3 and d4 builds a pawn centre, while the bishop on c4 aims at the weak f7 square near Black's king.
  • Black usually copies White's development with Bc5 and looks for a chance to play ...d5, which would challenge White's centre and free Black's pieces.
  • In the Evans Gambit, White gives up a pawn for a big lead in development. If Black does not defend carefully, White can launch a fast attack.

Common mistakes & traps

  • In the Two Knights Defense, White can play 4.Ng5 to attack f7. If Black responds 4...d5 5.exd5 Nxd5, White can sacrifice a knight with 6.Nxf7! to rip open the Black king.
  • The Traxler Counter-Attack (4...Bc5) ignores White's threat on f7 and instead threatens Bxf2+. White who blindly captures on f7 can get checkmated quickly.

Pawn structure notes

The centre starts with pawns on e4 and e5. White aims for a strong d4-e4 duo. Black tries to keep e5 solid with support from ...d6 or ...c6. White often has more space on the kingside.

Tips

  • The Hungarian Defense is a safe, solid option for Black that avoids all the sharp Italian theory
  • White gets a space advantage and can build a strong centre
  • Black aims for ...c6 and ...d5 to challenge the white centre and free the position

About this line

This line is rated beginner. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.