cxd5 Variation

Baltic Defense Guide

The Baltic Defense is a chess opening for black that arises after the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5. The Baltic is an offbeat choice for black that looks to disrupt white’s preparation from the get-go. This is a good chess opening to surprise your opponent and make them play in unknown territory. Although the Baltic Defense (also known as Garu Defense and Sahovic Defense) is not played a lot at master level, it is a good choice for club players and rapid and blitz time controls.

Main Ideas in the Baltic Defense

In the Baltic Defense, black quickly “solves” the typical issue with the light-squared bishop by developing it in the second move.

In one of the variations of the Baltic, black actually captures the knight on b1 early, ruining white’s typical idea of playing the knight to c3.

Let’s now see some of the move orders and variations in the Baltic Defense.

Most Played Moves in the Baltic Defense

The following are the most played moves in the Baltic Defense at master level.

1.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5

The Baltic Defense has been played.

3.cxd5 Bxb1

White goes for the exchange variation, taking on c5, and black immediately takes on b1, in a very uncommon exchange for queen pawn openings.

4.Qa4 c6

Before re-capturing on b1, white delivers a quick check, taking advantage of the good position of their d5 pawn.

5.Rxb1 Qxd5

Both queens are out in the first moves of the game, breaking the golden rule of not moving the queen until the rest of the pieces have been developed.

6.Nf3 Nd7