Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation

The Suttles Variation arises after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 d6, and can also be reached from the Two Knights order 3...d6 4. Nf3 c6. It bears the name of the Canadian grandmaster Duncan Suttles, one of the Modern's leading exponents. Black again leaves the g8-knight at home, avoiding the Pirc, and uses ...c6 to prepare queenside expansion with ...b5 or queen play with ...Qb6 against b2 and d4. White keeps the broad center and chooses a bishop setup. 5. Be3 is the most common choice, followed by 5. Bc4 and 5. Bd3. Black has scored well against 5. Bd3. The engine also likes 5. h3 and 5. a4, which restrains ...b5. The sharpest named branch is the Tal Gambit, 5. Bg5 Qb6 6. Qd2 Qxb2, in which White gives up the b-pawn for a lead in development. The engine gives White a slight edge, but practical results are nearly even and draws are uncommon.