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| Moves | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | D06 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Named after | Paul Keres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | Queen's Gambit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Synonym(s) | Grau Defense Sahovic Defense |
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The Baltic Defense (also known as the Grau Defense, or the Sahovic Defense) is a chess opening characterized by the moves:
The Baltic is an unusual variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD). In most defenses to the QGD, Black has difficulties developing his queen bishop. This opening takes a radical approach to the problem by bringing out the queen bishop immediately.
The Baltic has not found widespread acceptance among chess masters, but some world-class players have used it including grandmasters Paul Keres and Alexei Shirov.
The ECO code for the Baltic Defense is D06.
White has a number of replies to this opening, including 3.Nf3, 3.Qb3, 3.cxd5, and 3.Nc3. Play might continue:
