Modern Variation, Heral Variation

The Heral Variation is a branch of the Modern Variation, classified under ECO D53, in which White meets 4...Be7 with the immediate 5. Bxf6 instead of the usual 5. e3 or 5. Nf3. White does not maintain the pin. The tension is resolved straight away, and one of the main defenders of d5 disappears. White concedes the bishop pair in return for a clarified position and avoids any later decision about where to put the bishop once ...h6 is played.

Black almost always recaptures 5...Bxf6. This keeps the pawn structure intact and puts the bishop on the long diagonal, where it bears on d4. The alternative 5...gxf6 accepts doubled kingside pawns and is rarely seen. A delayed recapture with 5...O-O is rarer still. After 5...Bxf6 the classical d5/e6 structure remains. Black's long-term asset is the pair of bishops, and White relies on development and central pressure to compensate. The engine assesses the position as roughly balanced. In online games White scores slightly better than Black, and draws are uncommon.