Spanish Variation, Nimzowitsch Variation

White surrenders the Spanish bishop at once, aiming for a marginally healthier pawn structure. The idea is associated with Aron Nimzowitsch and is the main alternative to 6. d3. Black usually recaptures 6...dxc6, when 7. d3 is the principal continuation and 7. Nxe5 tends toward a draw. The less common 6...bxc6 can be answered by 7. Nxe5, with 7...Re8 regarded as Black's best reply. Engines assess the position as level.