Neo-Orthodox Variation

After the standard Orthodox moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O, White plays 6. Rc1 here instead of the usual 6. Nf3. The rook takes up the c-file early, where it supports the c4 pawn and is already placed for the moment Black plays ...c5 or ...dxc4 and the file opens. It is also a useful waiting move in the tempo struggle over the f1-bishop, since White keeps both Nf3 and Bd3 in hand. The name is more broadly linked to the ...h6 systems. The database's main line reaches that idea via 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3.

Black's most common reply is 6...c6, a solid Orthodox-style setup. 6...h6 puts the question to the bishop, and 6...b6 prepares a queenside fianchetto in the Tartakower manner. The engine's preferred moves include 6...dxc4, which captures before White has played Bd3, and 6...c5, which strikes at the center at once. The engine rates the position as level. In practice White scores slightly better overall, and noticeably better against 6...b6.