Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation
Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation
Definition
The Paulsen Attack is a branch of the Center Game that arises after the opening moves 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nf3. Instead of the traditional 3. Qxd4, White immediately develops the knight, temporarily sacrificing the d-pawn in exchange for a lead in development and quick pressure on Black’s center. The variation is named for the German-American master Louis Paulsen (1833-1891), an early advocate of rapid piece play and prophylaxis, whose ideas prefigured hyper-modern strategy decades before it became fashionable.
Typical Move Order
The most common continuations are:
- 3…d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bb5+ c6 6. dxc6 Nxc6
- 3…Nc6 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6
In both lines White has regained (or soon regains) the pawn and aims to exploit Black’s uncoordinated pieces, while Black relies on the open position to equalize with accurate play.
Strategic Themes
- Development vs. Material. By declining to recapture on d4 with the queen, White avoids early tempi-gaining knight moves by Black (…Nc6), but must justify the pawn deficit with energetic piece play.
- Open Lines for Bishops. The half-open e- and d-files and the soon-to-be-opened c-file make central pins (Bb5+, Bc4) especially potent.
- Black’s Flexible Choice. Black decides between solid (3…d5) and dynamic (3…Nc6) setups. Both aim to dissolve White’s initiative before it becomes dangerous.
- Early King Safety. Both sides often delay castling. Accurate calculation is vital because the queens can infiltrate along open files at any moment.
Historical Significance
Louis Paulsen introduced 3. Nf3 in mid-19th-century correspondence games, challenging the romantic era’s fascination with immediate piece sacrifices. His emphasis on sound flank development and long-term pressure earned him praise from later strategists such as Steinitz and Nimzowitsch. Though eclipsed in master practice by 3. Qxd4 and by completely different openings (e.g., the Ruy López), the Paulsen Attack still appears as a surprise weapon in rapid and blitz play.
Illustrative Game
Paulsen’s own handling of the variation:
[[Pgn| e4|e5| d4|exd4| Nf3|d5| exd5|Nf6| Bb5+|c6| dxc6|bxc6| Qe2+|Be6| Bxc6+|Nd7| Nxd4|Bb4+| c3|Bc5| Nxe6|fxe6| Qxe6+|Qe7| Qxe7+|Kxe7| O-O|Rac8| Nd2|Rxc6| Nf3|Re8| Bg5|Kf7| Rad1|h6| Bxf6|Nxf6 |fen|r2qk2r/pp1n2pp/2p1np1P/1B6/8/2P2N2/PP1N2P1/R3R1K1 b kq - 0 15|arrows|e4e5,d4d5|squares|d5,e5]]New York 1868 (off-hand). Paulsen neutralized Black’s center, won back the pawn, and reached an ending with a healthier structure. The game illustrates the variation’s hallmark: fluid development outweighs early material.
Modern Usage
While the line is rarely seen in elite classical events, it surfaces in faster formats where initiative is paramount. Grandmasters such as Alexander Grischuk and Baadur Jobava have experimented with it online, aiming to catch opponents unfamiliar with the subtleties of the resulting middlegame.
Example Repertoire Sequence
- 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. exd5 Qe7+. A sharp line where both sides stay uncastled and the queens hover menacingly near the center.
- 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nf3 d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bb5+ c6 6. dxc6 Nxc6 7. O-O Be7 8. Nxd4 Bd7. White regains equality in material with harmonious development, while Black has eradicated central tension.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Louis Paulsen used the line to defeat Adolf Anderssen—then considered the world’s strongest player—in a casual game, lending the variation immediate credibility among contemporaries.
- The move 3. Nf3 anticipates modern tempo theory: an extra move of development is often worth more than a pawn. In computer chess, engines now evaluate the position closer to equality than their human predecessors ever dared.
- Because the queen stays home longer, the Paulsen Attack can transpose into the Scotch Game, Petroff Defense, or even Exchange French structures, depending on Black’s replies—making it a useful addition to a flexible repertoire.
Practical Tips
- As White, be prepared to sacrifice the pawn permanently if Black can cling to it; your goal is pressure, not material.
- Watch the clock. The open position demands accurate calculation, and moves come quickly.
- As Black, don’t be greedy. Realize the extra pawn only counts if you finish development—so look for breaks like …d5, …c5, or …Bb4+ to fend off White’s initiative.
Conclusion
The Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation is a historically significant yet under-explored weapon that rewards principled, energetic play. Its mix of classical central tension and hyper-modern development themes makes it an instructive choice for players seeking to sharpen their understanding of open games while surprising well-prepared opponents.