Botvinnik Variation

The Botvinnik Variation comes from the restrained 5. e3 branch of the Three Knights Variation. When 6. Qb3 puts pressure on d5, Black defends the pawn with 6...e6 instead of giving up the center with ...dxc4. The resulting structure resembles a Queen's Gambit Declined: d5 is firmly held, but the c8-bishop is hemmed in. White most often continues 7. Be2 or 7. Bd2, and less frequently 7. cxd5. The engine rates the position as balanced, and the line is rarely played.