Rat Defense: Small Center Defense
ECO C00
Move order
1. d4 e6 2. e4 d6
Ideas
ECO C covers open games (1. e4 e5) and the French Defense. White builds a pawn center and keeps the position more closed than after 1. e4. The variation is defined by a short, recognizable move order. Use the diagram and SAN list to recognize the tabiya, then try the line against Maia to explore typical plans in practice.