Retreat Variation
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4e6
- 3.Nf3Bb4+
- 4.Bd2Be7
1,193 games
The Bogo-Indian line 4. Bd2 Be7, in which Black withdraws the bishop at once: a passive but solid choice that concedes a tempo for a sound position.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Retreat Variation
In the Retreat Variation Black answers 4. Bd2 by pulling the bishop back to e7, declining both the exchange on d2 and the support of ...Qe7 or ...a5. The lost tempo is partly offset because White's bishop stands modestly on d2 rather than on a more active diagonal. The engine sees a slight White edge. White usually continues 5. Nc3, the most frequent and best-scoring reply, or 5. g3; 5. e3 is less common.