The moves 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6, shown in the diagram, are called the Scheveningen Variation. We treat this elsewhere using the different move order 2...d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6, where Black's 2nd and 5th moves have been switched.
Also leading to the Scheveningen is 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 d6. Black has played ...Nc6 instead of ...Nf6, but this is only temporary. The Knight on g8 doesn't have many options. If it moves to e7, where will the Bishop on f8 be developed? Some examples leading quickly to the Scheveningen are
- 6.Be3 Nf6; White has 7.Bc4, 7.Be2, 7.f4, and 7.f3.
- 6.Be2 Nf6.
- 6.Be2 a6 7.Be3 Nf6.
