Steinitz Variation

The Steinitz Variation arises when White, having chosen 3. Bc4 against the Philidor Defense, answers 3...Be7 with 4. c3 instead of the more direct 4. d4, which tends to produce positions resembling the Exchange Variation. The usual follow-up is 5. d3. Because the king's bishop has already been developed outside the pawn chain, White can afford a compact center of pawns on c3, d3 and e4. The result is a slower, more closed and maneuvering game rather than an early opening of lines. The name comes from a game Wilhelm Steinitz played against George MacDonnell.

Black replies 4...Nf6 in the large majority of games. This develops the last minor piece needed to castle kingside. The pawn move 4...c6 and the pin 4...Bg4 are much rarer alternatives. Engines rate the position as roughly balanced, and practical results are close to even, with White only marginally ahead. The line is a modest sideline of the 3. Bc4 complex rather than a heavily analyzed branch.