Romanishin Variation

The Romanishin Variation, 3...Be7, is a modest reply to the Ponziani. It leaves the loose e4-pawn alone and simply prepares kingside castling, conceding White the center with 4. d4, which is by far the most common continuation. Oleg Romanishin tried the move in the 1970s, and a Batsford reference judged it adequate for equality. Modern engines consider it suspect and give White a slight edge, and it never gained a following.