Chigorin Defense, Exchange Variation

By capturing 3. cxd5, White releases the tension at once and avoids the lines in which Black takes on c4. The recapture 3...Qxd5 brings the queen to the center, where it joins the c6-knight in bearing down on d4, so Black can generate pressure before White has developed. The cost is the usual risk of early queen play: White can gain time by attacking the queen with developing moves, and the half-open c- and d-files define the structure. The engine gives White a slight edge, but practical results are close to even, with very few draws.

4. Nf3, which defends d4 with a piece, is the most common reply and scores best for White. 4. e3 supports the pawn with a pawn instead. 4. Nc3 hits the queen with tempo, yet in practice it has turned out well for Black. After 4. e3, Black can challenge the center directly with 4...e5, and Costa's Line continues 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 exd4 8. Ne2. Here Black gives up the bishop pair to win the d4-pawn, and White intends to regain it with the knight.