Traditional Variation

After 3...g5 4. Bc4, Black chooses between two main approaches. One is 4...g4, which attacks the f3-knight at once and allows White's sacrificial lines. The other is the calmer 4...Bg7 of the Traditional Variation. The bishop goes to the long diagonal, where it backs up the advanced kingside pawns and bears on d4 and the queenside. Black keeps the extra pawn and avoids handing White the forcing attacks that follow 4...g4. White's compensation remains the half-open f-file, pressure against f7 and the chance to build a center with d4.

The most frequent reply is 5. O-O, the Hanstein Gambit, which completes White's development and gives up any immediate attempt to win back the pawn. 5. d4 is the second choice and seizes the center directly. 5. h4, the Philidor Gambit, is much less common. It attacks the pawn chain at its base and is the only main continuation in which White scores better than Black. The engine gives Black a slight advantage, and in online games Black wins more often than White from this position.