A56

Vulture Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 Ne4
♜♞♝♛♚♝♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♞♟♟♟♟♟♟♜♞♝♛♚♝♞♜
The position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 Ne4, White to move.

In the Vulture Defense, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

See how you play it

The Vulture Defense is a chess opening classified under ECO code A56. It is reached after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 Ne4: 6 moves in, with White to play.

Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.

Club players rarely lose the Vulture Defense 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

Benoni DefenseBenoni Defense: Czech Benoni DefenseBenoni Defense: Hromádka SystemBenoni Defense: King's Indian SystemBenoni Defense: Weenink VariationGrünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation, Reversed TarraschBenoni Defense: Hromadka SystemGrunfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation, Reversed Tarrasch

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