Chinese Variation

The Chinese Variation is one of the two sharp attempts available to White after 4. Be2 Bg7, the other being the Bayonet Attack 5. h4. Instead of transposing into the Classical System with 5. Nf3, White pushes the g-pawn at once, gaining kingside space and preparing g4-g5 to dislodge the f6-knight. Castling with 5...O-O is the most common reply, while 5...h5 and 5...h6 confront the pawn directly. Engines judge the position roughly balanced.