Modern Variation, Larsen Variation

The Larsen Variation resolves the tension in the Modern Variation at once. With 4...dxe5 Black removes the e5-pawn that cramps the kingside instead of pinning the f3-knight. The line is named after Bent Larsen, who played it in the 1965 Candidates. White usually recaptures with 5. Nxe5, which follows from the development of the knight on move four and centralizes it. The pawn recapture 5. dxe5 is the main alternative, and 5. c4 is rare. Engines give White a slight edge.

After 5. Nxe5 the question is how Black should challenge the knight. The direct 5...Nd7 allows 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qh5+ Ke6. White can then force a draw with 8. Qg4+ Kf7 9. Qh5+ Ke6, or try 8. c4 to play for more. Black should accept the repetition. Against Fischer in a 1966 Santa Monica blitz game, Larsen played 8...Kd6 and lost quickly after 9. c4. The quieter 6. Nf3 is also possible. To avoid the sacrifice, Black can first play 5...g6, the Kengis Variation, or 5...c6, the Miles Variation, and only later play ...Nd7. The Miles has become the more common of the two and is now a principal main line at elite level.