Fianchetto Variation, Classical Variation

After 6...Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5, the advance 8. e4 gives White a full pawn center on c4, d4 and e4, with the king sheltered behind the g2-bishop. The structure resembles the Classical King's Indian, except that White's light-squared bishop sits on the long diagonal instead of e2. ECO classifies the position as E68 and reserves E69 for the Classical main line. Engines give White a slight edge, and online results lean modestly toward White.

Black's main decision is how to handle the tension on d4 and e5. The most common reply, 8...exd4, surrenders the e5 point in return for an open e-file and a clear long diagonal, both aimed at the e4-pawn. The line 8...exd4 9. Nxd4 Re8 10. h3 a6 is the Gallagher Variation, which prepares ...Rb8 and ...b5 on the queenside. The second choice, 8...c6, maintains the pawn on e5 and covers d5; after 9. h3 it becomes the Classical Main Line. The less frequent 8...Re8 puts pressure on e4 at once. In the database sample Black has scored better with it than with the other two replies, and it is also the engine's first choice, ahead of 8...exd4 and 8...a6.