Classical Variation, Closed Variation

The Closed Variation meets 4. c3 with 4...Qe7, so the queen supports e5 and eyes the e-file. It is a minor sideline. The direct 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 loses the e4-pawn to 6...Qxe4+, so White usually castles first with 5. O-O, the most common reply. The queen can then turn out to be poorly placed on the e-file. The engine gives White a slight edge, although Black scores well in online games.