Modern Variation, Panov Variation

The Panov Variation, 5. h3, puts the question to the pinning bishop instead of unpinning with 5. Be2. Black is generally content to part with the bishop. After 5...Bxf3 6. Qxf3 dxe5 7. dxe5 e6, material is level, the recapture on e5 has also guarded the d5-knight, and White's center is loosened. The retreat 5...Bh5, which keeps the pin, is the most common reply. Engines rate the position as roughly balanced, and practical results are even.