Duz-Khotimirsky Variation

The Duz-Khotimirsky Variation is a restrained answer to the Ukrainian Variation (3. Nc3 e5). Instead of 4. Nf3, White plays 4. e3 and, after 4...Nbd7, develops with 5. Bd3, keeping a compact c4-d4-e3 center. Black most often continues 5...Be7 in typical Old Indian fashion, while 5...g6 and 5...c6 are the main alternatives. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced. The line is rarely seen, and Black scores slightly better in the available games.