Larsen Variation

The Larsen Variation is a branch of the Exchange Variation of the Philidor Defense. After surrendering the center with 3...exd4, Black chooses 4...g6 instead of the usual 4...Nf6, intending ...Bg7. The bishop is then active on the long diagonal, aiming at the centralized knight on d4 and the queenside beyond it. This differs from the more modest ...Be7 setup, where the bishop sits passively behind the d6-pawn. With the d- and e-files half-open, White has more central space and a strong outpost on d4. Black has the d6-pawn as a compact defensive barrier and looks for counterplay from the fianchettoed bishop. The line takes its name from Bent Larsen, who used it in a handful of games, among them a draw with Mikhail Tal in 1969. The same position can also arise by transposition, for example via 4...Nf6 5. Nc3 g6.

5. Nc3 is by far the most frequent reply, and a typical sequence is 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6. White scores well after it. The less common 5. Bc4 has produced nearly level results, and 5. Be3 is also seen. Engines give White a slight edge.