Maróczy Variation

The Maróczy Variation, more widely known as the Fantasy Variation and sometimes called the Tartakower Variation, supports the e4-pawn with 3. f3 instead of exchanging or advancing it. If Black takes with 3...dxe4 4. fxe4, by far the most common course, White has a broad pawn center and a half-open f-file, but the dark squares and the a7–g1 diagonal are loosened. 4. Nc3 instead transposes to the Blackmar–Diemer Gambit. The main independent line is 4...e5 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Bc4 Nd7, where Black has to cover e5 because Bxf7+ followed by Nxe5+ would pick up the g4-bishop. 7. O-O Ngf6 8. c3 Bd6 leads to double-edged play, though moving 7. c3 before castling is now considered more testing and gives White a small edge. The Maróczy Gambit, 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Bc4, offers a pawn and was played by Géza Maróczy as early as 1899.

Black can also decline the capture. 3...e6 is the solid choice, aiming at the dark squares with ...c5, and can transpose to the French Steinitz after 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. e5 Nfd7 6. f4 c5. Other options include 3...Qb6, associated with Baadur Jobava, and 3...g6, tried by Yasser Seirawan. Alexander Morozevich has played 3. f3 successfully as White. Engines rate the position as roughly balanced, and White scores well in online games.