Classical Variation

The Classical Variation pairs 1...f5 with ...e6, placing the king's bishop on e7 rather than fianchettoing it as in the Leningrad. Played straight after 2. c4, the move keeps ...Nf6 and the choice of d-pawn advance in reserve. Black can later go for the Stonewall with ...d5 or the Classical proper with ...d6. The usual route to the main line is 2...Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nc3. From there Black has several named options. In the Ilyin-Zhenevsky Variation, 7...Qe8 prepares to swing the queen toward the kingside. The Huisl Variation, 7...Ne4, occupies the central outpost at once, and the Buenos Aires Variation, 7...a5, gains queenside space. White can also deviate with 5. Nh3, the Blackburne Attack.

After 2...e6, 3. Nc3 is by far the most common reply and leads to the Rubinstein Variation. Less frequent are 3. Nf3 and 3. g3, and 3. e4 is the rare Bellon Gambit. Results are close to even and draws are uncommon, while the engine gives White a slight edge. Simon Williams is a leading exponent of the Classical Dutch.