Queen's Pawn: 1...e6 2.c4 — Horwitz Defence
Queen’s Pawn: 1.d4 e6 2.c4 — A40 “Horwitz Defence”
Definition
The sequence 1.d4 e6 2.c4 is an opening set-up that arises from the Queen’s Pawn Opening. Black answers the queen’s-pawn advance with the flexible ...e6, deliberately keeping the king’s knight and queen’s bishop undeveloped for the moment. After White’s natural 2.c4, the position is recorded in ECO as A40 and is sometimes called the Horwitz Defence (named after the 19th-century German master Bernhard Horwitz). Owing to its chameleon-like nature, the line can transpose into several well-known openings, such as the Queen’s Gambit Declined, Nimzo-Indian, Bogo-Indian, or even the French Defence if White later plays e2-e4.
How the Line Is Used
- Flexibility for Black: By delaying the development of the g8-knight and c8-bishop, Black reserves the right to adapt to White’s next move. Typical follow-ups include ...d5, ...Nf6, ...Bb4, or ...c5 depending on the desired structure.
- Testing White’s Ambitions: If White aims for the mainline Queen’s Gambit (3.Nc3 or 3.Nf3), Black can reach rock-solid QGD positions. If White instead tries an early e2-e4, the game may enter French-Defence territory, where Black is already committed to the thematic ...d5 break.
- Move-Order Nuances: Experienced players exploit 1...e6 to avoid the trombone of certain sidelines, for instance the Torre Attack (2.Nf3 and 3.Bg5) or Colle Systems, by steering the struggle into systems they know better.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension: Both sides prepare the pawn clash d4–d5 or d4–e4 vs. ...d5. Whoever controls the d5-square often dictates the middlegame plans.
- Light-Squared Bishop: Black’s c8-bishop has multiple future squares (b4, e7, d6, or sometimes a3 in gambit lines). Its deployment is a key strategic decision that colors the rest of Black’s setup.
- Transpositional Weapon: Because almost every mainstream 1.d4-opening can be reached via 1...e6, both sides must keep in mind typical piece placements of several distinct defences—French, QGD, Nimzo/Bogo, or even the Dutch after ...f5.
Historical & Modern Significance
The move 1...e6 against 1.d4 has been employed since the 1800s.
- Bernhard Horwitz adopted it in offhand games, giving the line its traditional name.
- World Champions from Capablanca to Carlsen have used the move order to sidestep preparation. Notably, Garry Kasparov defeated Nigel Short (Tilburg 1991) with 1.d4 e6, later transposing to a Nimzo-Indian.
- In modern rapid and blitz, it remains popular because of its ability to create unfamiliar positions quickly.
Illustrative Example
The following miniature shows a direct transposition into a French-type structure:
After 10 moves, the game resembles a Tarrasch French with colors reversed on the queenside but standard plans on the kingside: White eyes the e4 break while Black tries ...c5 and pressure on d4.
Typical Plans & Piece Placement
- For White
- Develop knights to c3 and f3, bishops to g5 (or f4) and g2/e2.
- Decide between an e2-e3 & Bd3 Queen’s-Gambit setup or the sharper e2-e4 thrust converting to a French Advance.
- Use the c-pawn on c4 as a lever against Black’s d5.
- For Black
- Choose between ...d5, ...c5, or ...f5 depending on White’s center.
- Often aim for ...Bb4 to pin the knight if White played Nc3.
- Castle early; keep the light-squared bishop flexible.
Notable Games
Kramnik vs. Anand, Dortmund 2001 began 1.d4 e6 2.c4 Nf6 and soon entered a Bogo-Indian. Anand’s flexible move order helped him equalize effortlessly against Kramnik’s pet 1.d4 systems.
Kasparov vs. Short, Tilburg 1991 featured 1.d4 e6 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nf3 b6, morphing into a Queen’s Indian that Kasparov used to launch a powerful central expansion and win in 29 moves.
Trivia & Fun Facts
- The line lets Black “offer” White a surprise French Defence without committing to 1.e4. Some French specialists adopt 1...e6 exclusively, hoping for 2.e4.
- Because transpositions are so common, databases record A40 games under multiple openings; statisticians sometimes mis-label the same game three different ways!
- In correspondence chess, players occasionally hide deep preparation behind 1...e6, steering the game toward their favorite Nimzo-QGD hybrid a dozen moves later.