Two Knights Defense, Fritz, Gruber Variation

The Gruber Variation is White's 8. Ne4 in the Fritz Variation. The knight leaves g5 for a central post where it helps guard the kingside, while the c3-pawn keeps the d4-knight under attack. The position also arises from the Ulvestad move order 5...b5 6. Bf1 Nd4 7. c3 Nxd5 8. Ne4. Black most often moves the knight with 8...Ne6, and 8...Qh4 is the main alternative. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.