Classical Attack, Staunton Variation
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nf6
- 3.Nxe5d6
- 4.Nf3Nxe4
- 5.d4d5
- 6.Bd3Bd6
- 7.O-OO-O
- 8.c4c6
1,561 games
Petrov's Defense line in which Black meets 8. c4 with 8...c6, supporting d5 by pawn in a solid, symmetrical structure where White keeps a slight edge.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Staunton Variation
The Staunton Variation arises from the Marshall Variation of the Classical Attack when Black answers 8. c4 with 8...c6. Black props up d5 with a pawn instead of pinning with 8...Bg4, which was Frank Marshall's choice. White's main tries are 9. Nc3, the most frequent, followed by 9. Re1, 9. cxd5 and 9. Qc2. The last of these was played against Howard Staunton in 1851. Engines give White a slight edge, and White scores well in practice.