Chigorin Defense, Janowski Variation

The Janowski Variation arises after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 dxc4 4. Nf3. Black's capture on c4 gives up a central point but opens the knight's line against d4, so White must either protect the pawn or advance it with 4. d5. With 4. Nf3, White takes the developing route. The d4-pawn is covered, the c4-pawn is left for later, and White keeps a broad center against Black's piece pressure. Black is a pawn up for the moment, with c- and d-files half-open, and the play revolves around the fight for d4 and the recovery of c4.

The most frequent reply is 4...Bg4, pinning the knight that defends d4 and continuing the typical Chigorin theme of piece attacks on the center. 4...Nf6, known as the Modern Gambit, develops the kingside first and is one of the moves preferred by the engine. 4...e6 is a quieter choice that frees the f8-bishop. The engine gives White a slight edge, and White scores clearly better in practice.