Keres Variation

The Keres Variation arises when Black meets 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 with 2...Bg4. Black develops the c8-bishop before playing ...e6 or ...c6. This avoids the recurring problem of the King's Indian Attack, where Black's light-squared bishop ends up shut in behind its own pawns. From g4 the bishop bears down on the f3-knight, the piece that normally helps support White's central plans. Black can later exchange on f3, conceding the bishop pair, or keep the pin and build a solid center with ...e6 and ...Nf6.

White nearly always continues 3. Bg2, completing the fianchetto and heading for the usual setup. The main alternative is 3. Ne5, which attacks the g4-bishop at once and has scored well for White. The rare 3. d4 changes the character of the game toward queen's pawn structures, and Black has fared better there. Engines regard the position as roughly balanced. In online games White scores somewhat better, with few draws.