This episode marks Lindsey Morgan's directorial debut.
Eliza Taylor was originally was going to direct this episode, but after suffering a miscarriage, she was unable to direct. This is the fourth episode of the series to be directed by a member of the main cast. The first two were The Other Side (2017) and The Warriors Will (2018), both directed by Henry Ian Cusick, and the third was Ashes to Ashes (2019), directed by Bob Morley.
The title refers to a popular chess opening of the same name. It is an aggressive play by white designed to control the middle of the board and put black on the defensive.