Cannstatter Variation

The Cannstatter Variation arises after 1. d4 Nc6 2. c4 e5 3. d5 Nd4. Black answers the space-gaining pawn push by planting the knight on d4 instead of retreating it. The post is central but has no pawn support, and 4. e3, by far the most common reply, attacks the knight at once. The main alternatives are 4. Nc3 and 4. e4. Engines assess the position as clearly better for White, who also scores well in practice.