Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation, Main Line

Despite its name, this line is not the Chigorin's 8. Re1. Here White strikes at d5 with 8. c4, Black's knight hits the d3 bishop with 8...Nb4, and 9. Be2 keeps the bishop pair. This retreat was popularized by Anatoly Karpov and is usually classed under the Jaenisch Variation. Black most often castles, and the main line beginning 9...O-O 10. Nc3 Bf5 arose twice in Kramnik's wins over Leko in 2004. The alternative 9...dxc4 leaves White with an isolated queen's pawn. Engines rate the position as roughly balanced.