Theoria
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Modern Defense

Beefeater Variation

A40offbeatpositional

  1. 1.d4g6
  2. 2.c4Bg7
  3. 3.Nc3c5
  4. 4.d5Bxc3+
  5. 5.bxc3f5
922 games44%52%

A Modern Defense line against 1. d4 and 2. c4 in which Black trades the g7-bishop to double White's c-pawns, then plays ...f5 for light-square play.

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About the Beefeater Variation

The Beefeater Variation arises after 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5. When White closes the center with 4. d5, Black gives up the fianchetto bishop with 4...Bxc3+, leaving White with doubled c-pawns and an isolated a-pawn, and follows with 5...f5 to stake out the light squares. White keeps the bishop pair. 6. e4 is the most common reply, followed by 6. Nf3 and 6. h4. Engines give White a slight edge, though Black scores well in online games.

Popular continuations