A40 · English Defense

English Defense: Perrin Variation

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nc6
♜♛♚♝♞♜♟♝♟♟♟♟♟♟♞♟♟♟♟♝♟♟♟♟♟♜♞♝♛♚♞♜
The position after 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nc6, White to move.

In the English Defense: Perrin Variation, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

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The English Defense: Perrin Variation is a chess opening classified under ECO code A40. It is reached after the moves 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nc6: 8 moves in, with White to play.

It belongs to the English Defense family — one of many ways the line can branch. Understanding the parent system’s plans is the fastest way to play this variation well.

Club players rarely lose the English Defense: Perrin Variation in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.

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Related openings

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