Chigorin Defense

Chess opening (1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6); an uncommon defense to the Queen's Gambit

The Chigorin Defense is a chess opening named for 19th-century Russian master Mikhail Chigorin. An uncommonly played defense to the Queen's Gambit, it begins with the following moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 The Chigorin Defense violates several classical principles: Black does not maintain the center pawn at d5, the c-pawn is blocked, and Black must be willing to trade a bishop for a knight.