Richter-Veresov Attack

The Richter-Veresov Attack is a queen's-pawn opening in which White develops the queen knight to c3 and the dark-squared bishop to g5 early. The central idea is to support an e4 pawn push and establish active central play before Black completes development.

The knight on c3 helps control e4, but it also occupies the square in front of White's c-pawn. That changes the opening's character: instead of putting a pawn on c4 to pressure the center, White often relies on active pieces and, in some lines, the f3 pawn push to reinforce e4.

The Veresov prepares e4 and blocks the c-pawn

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StartBg5

Bg5 completes the characteristic Nc3 and Bg5 pair with which White prepares active central play.

White develops pieces before expanding the center

The c3-knight already supports e4; Bg5 adds activity and pressure against Black's knight.

1. Bg5 completes the characteristic Nc3 and Bg5 pair with which White prepares active central play.

The bishop on g5 resembles the Trompowsky Attack, but in the Veresov White's knight is already on c3 and the center can be built differently. Some move orders can also lead to an early pawn offer resembling the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, although the two openings are not identical.