Opening Formations

Move 3: a6
There are two major responses to this particular threat. White can capture the knight with Bxc6 or retreat with Ba4.

Move 4: Bxc6, dxc6
Black captures back with the d-pawn to open up the white square bishop and open up the queen. This response will help black maintain better center control by allowing black to develop with
threats. Black could response by capturing with the b-pawn, but this move is slightly weaker.

Move 5: Nxe5, Qd4
In this variation, white might think that the black pawn on e5 is undefended. However, black can develop its queen to threaten both white’s knight on e-pawn.