Orthodox Variation, Aronin-Taimanov Defense

The Aronin-Taimanov Defense is Black's most direct answer to 7. O-O in the Orthodox Variation. The knight on c6 adds to the pressure on d4 and asks White to settle the central tension at once. White nearly always obliges with 8. d5, which gains space and sends the knight to e7 with 8...Ne7. That retreat is the point of Black's setup. From e7 the knight no longer blocks the f-pawn, the f6-knight can step aside, and Black can prepare ...f5, often followed by ...g5 and a kingside pawn storm. White, in turn, expands on the queenside with c5 and b4. The ninth-move choices covered under the parent opening, 9. Ne1, 9. Nd2, 9. Bd2 and 9. b4, all start from this position and decide how quickly White's queenside play arrives.

The alternatives at move eight are much less common. 8. dxe5 releases the tension and gives up the space advantage, while 8. Be3 keeps the center fluid for a little longer. Engines give White a slight edge after 7...Nc6. In Lichess games White scores somewhat better, and draws are rare, which fits the sharp, double-edged play of the main line.