Panov Attack, Modern Defense, Carlsbad Line

The Carlsbad Line, 6...e6, meets White's pressure on the f6-knight by giving the d5-pawn direct pawn support instead of counterattacking with the queen. The cost is that the light-squared bishop is shut in behind the e6-pawn. White most often continues with 7. Nf3. The alternative 7. c5 gains queenside space and fixes the structure, while 7. cxd5 resolves the central tension at once. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced. In Lichess games White scores slightly better than Black, and draws are rare.