Rat Defense
What is the Rat Defense?
The Rat Defense is a chess opening that begins with 1. e4 d6 2. f4. It is classified under ECO A41–C00 and has 11 named variations. White chooses it with the move f4.
Moves: 1. e4 d6 2. f4
ECO: A41–C00
Chosen by: White
Main variations
1. e4 d6 2. h4
1. e4 d6 2. g4
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nd7
1. e4 d6 2. d4 f5
1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5
1. d4 e6 2. e4 d6
All 11 variations
| ECO | Variation | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| B00 | Harmonist | 1. e4 d6 2. f4 |
| B00 | Petruccioli Attack | 1. e4 d6 2. h4 |
| B00 | Spike Attack | 1. e4 d6 2. g4 |
| B00 | Antal Defense | 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nd7 |
| A82 | Balogh Defense | 1. e4 d6 2. d4 f5 |
| A41 | English Rat | 1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 |
| C00 | Small Center Defense | 1. d4 e6 2. e4 d6 |
| B06 | Accelerated Gurgenidze | 1. e4 g6 2. d4 d6 3. Nc3 c6 |
| A41 | English Rat, Lisbon Gambit | 1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Nc6 |
| A41 | English Rat, Pounds Gambit | 1. d4 d6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Be6 |
| B00 | Fuller Gambit | 1. e4 d6 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 Nf6 |
How to learn an opening
Learn the ideas before the moves: where the pieces go, which pawn breaks matter and what the typical middlegame plans are. Then play it, and after each game look up the point where you or your opponent left the known moves. MentoChess shows that point automatically for every game you import.
Opening lessons: Three golden opening rules · Scholar’s mate and how to stop it · Italian Game: plans, not just moves · Answering 1.d4: the Queen’s Gambit Declined · Meeting the Sicilian with 2.c3 · From moves to structures