Charousek Variation

The Charousek Variation, also known as the Alatortsev Variation, develops the dark-squared bishop with 3...Be7 before the king's knight. With no knight yet on f6, White has nothing to pin, so the immediate 4. Bg5 loses its point, and White must choose a set-up before Black commits further. 4. Nf3 is the most popular and most flexible reply because it reveals nothing. After 4...Nf6 5. Bg5 play transposes back into the main lines. 4. Bf4 places the bishop actively on f4 and usually heads for the Harrwitz Attack. 4. cxd5 enters an Exchange Variation structure in which Black's bishop already stands on e7, so White's queen's bishop has no useful role on g5.

The sharp alternative is the Miladinovic Gambit, 4. e4 dxe4 5. f3, in which White gives up a pawn for rapid development and central play. The engine rates the position after 3...Be7 as close to balanced, with a minimal edge for White, and White scores slightly better in practice.