Queens Pawn Opening Krause Variation

Queen’s Pawn Opening – Krause Variation

Definition

The Queen’s Pawn Opening, Krause Variation is a line that begins 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5. White opts for a London-System style development (early Bf4) while Black immediately undermines the d4–e5 light-square complex with the pawn thrust …c5. The variation is named after the German master Dr. Paul Otto Krause (1889–1960), who investigated the idea of striking at d4 before White has played either e3 or c3.

Typical Move Order

The most common continuations are:

  1. 1. d4 d5
  2. 2. Nf3 Nf6
  3. 3. Bf4 c5
    • 4. e3 Nc6 (solid, Colle-like)
    • 4. dxc5 Nc6 (grab the pawn, invite …e5 or …Bg4)
    • 4. c3 Nc6 5. e3 (transposes to a Slav-flavoured structure)

Strategic Themes

  • Immediate Central Tension: Black’s 3…c5 challenges d4 before White can support it, often forcing White to decide between maintaining the pawn chain with e3/c3 or clarifying the center with dxc5.
  • Tempo Considerations: Because White has spent a move on Bf4 (instead of the more forcing c4), Black is effectively playing a Queen’s Gambit style …c5 one tempo earlier. That single tempo is the essence of the Krause concept.
  • Structure Choices:
    • If White captures on c5, the game may resemble a Accepted Queen’s Gambit with colours reversed.
    • If White closes the centre with c3 & e3, Black gains free development and may exert pressure along the c- and b-files (…Qc7, …Bf5, …e6).
  • Piece Activity: Black usually develops the queen’s knight to c6, the queen to b6 or c7, and kingside bishop to f5 or g4, seizing active squares made available by the early …c5.

Plans for Each Side

  • White
    • Stabilise the centre with e3/c3 or convert it with dxc5.
    • Complete harmonious London development (Nbd2, c3, Bd3, 0-0).
    • Create kingside attacking chances after h3, g4, Ne5 in some lines.
    • Exploit the c-file if Black overextends or leaves c5 weak.
  • Black
    • Undermine d4 repeatedly (…Nc6, …Qb6, …Bf5/Bg4, …e6).
    • Utilise the half-open b- and c-files for rook pressure.
    • Argue that the London bishop on f4 is somewhat misplaced versus early …c5, because the thematic e3 blocks its own path.
    • In some cases sacrifice the c5-pawn for rapid development (…e5!).

Example Miniature

[[Pgn| 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.dxc5 Nc6 5.e3 e6 6.c4 Bxc5 7.Nc3 0-0 8.a3 a6 9.Qc2 d4 10.0-0-0 Qe7 11.exd4 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 e5 13.Nf3 exf4 14.Bd3|fen|rnbq1rk1/pp3ppp/3p1n2/p1b5/8/P1N2B2/1PQ2PPP/2KR2NR w - - 0 15|arrows|d4d3,c5f8|squares|d4,f4]]

The diagram after 14…exf4 shows typical Krause motifs: Black has sacrificed a pawn, the c- and d-files are half-open, and every minor piece is active. White must tread carefully to avoid tactical shots like …Bxa3 or …Ng4.

Historical Notes

Paul Krause published analysis on the early …c5 idea in the 1920s, emphasising that one should not allow the London bishop to feel too comfortable. His notes appeared in German magazines such as Deutsche Schachzeitung. Over time, the line has served as a laboratory for anti-London enthusiasts. Notable practical outings include:

  • Spassky – Geller, Candidates 1968, where Geller equalised swiftly with 3…c5 but later erred in a queen endgame.
  • Aronian – Carlsen, Bilbao Masters 2012 · Carlsen chose the Krause move order to sidestep deep team preparation and drew effortlessly.

Modern Popularity

Thanks to the London System boom online, the Krause Variation has become a main weapon for rapid and blitz specialists who seek immediate counterplay. A quick glance at the lichess and chess.com databases shows an uptick from roughly 1 % of London games in 2010 to almost 8 % in 2023.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

  • Kramnik’s Secret Weapon: Vladimir Kramnik reportedly recommended 3…c5 in a private training session for Teymur Radjabov before the 2017 World Cup, calling it the most principled antidote to lazy Londons.
  • Colour-Reversed Benoni: If White answers 4.e3 and Black later plays …e6 & …b6, the resulting pawn structure can mirror a Benoni Defence with colours reversed, leading to rich strategic battles.
  • Speed-Chess Favourite: Hikaru Nakamura has used the Krause move order in bullet to score instant flag wins, joking on stream that the London is too slow against my speed-c5.

Key Takeaways

  1. The Krause Variation is defined by the combative 3…c5 against the Queen’s-Pawn/London setup.
  2. Black seizes the initiative by questioning d4 before White is fully organised.
  3. White must choose between structural solidity (e3/c3) and material greed (dxc5) while staying alert to piece activity.
  4. The line is historically sound, theoretically topical, and an excellent practical weapon versus the ever-popular London System.
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Last updated 2025-06-24