Rat Defense, English Rat Explained

Openingname:	Rat Defense
Moves:	1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5
Eco:	A41
Parentopening:	Old Indian Defense

The Rat Defense, English Rat^{[1] [2]} is an irregular Queen's Pawn Game chess opening characterised by the initial moves:

1. d4 d6

2. c4 e5

The position can also arise from an English Opening move order 1.c4 d6 2.d4 e5.

Another possible move order can be reached via the Englund Gambit: 1. d4 e5 2. c4 d6.

The "English Rat" has been played by top players such as Aronian, Anand, Svidler, Rapport, and Smirin.

While 3.dxe5 dxe5 4. Qxd8 transposing into an endgame may initially appear to be favourable for white as black king won't be able to castle, the pawn on c4 will be restricting mobility of the white square bishop so the endgame is comfortable for black to maintain equality.

Gambit lines

• Lisbon Gambit:^{[3] [4]} 1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3. dxe5 Nc6, which usually continues 4. exd6 Bxd6 or (4...Qxd6).
• Pounds Gambit:^[5] 1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Be6

See also

• List of chess openings

Related openings:

• Wade Defence
• Pirc Defence
• Modern Defence
• Englund Gambit

References

Bibliography

• Book: Jouni Yrjölä and Jussi Tella. 2001 . An Explosive Chess Opening Repertoire for Black . Gambit Publications Ltd . 1-901983-501 .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rat Defense English Rat - Chess Opening.
2. Web site: Queen's Pawn Opening: English Rat Defense - Chess Openings.
3. Web site: Queen's Pawn Opening: English Rat, Lisbon Gambit - Chess Openings.
4. Web site: Rat Defense English Rat Lisbon Gambit - Chess Opening.
5. Web site: English Rat Pounds Gambit - Chess Opening.