Panov Attack, Gunderam Attack

The Gunderam Attack changes the character of the Panov by pushing 5. c5 instead of developing with 5. Nc3. Rather than trading on d5 and accepting an isolated pawn on d4, White fixes a pawn chain on c5 and d4. This gains space on the queenside and takes d6 and b6 from Black's pieces, but it relieves the pressure on d5 and leaves the d4-pawn as the base of the chain. Black's main levers follow from this: ...b6 attacks the c5-pawn, and ...e5 strikes at d4. Both are among the engine's preferred replies, along with the fianchetto ...g6, which aims the bishop at the long diagonal.

In practice 5...Nc6 is by far the most common answer and is chosen in about half of the games. It increases the pressure on d4 and prepares ...e5. 5...Bf5 and 5...e6 are less common. White scores better against 5...Bf5, while 5...e6 gives Black slightly the better results. The line is an uncommon sideline of the Panov. The engine rates the position as roughly level, and White's overall score is only slightly better than Black's.