Classical Variation, Polugaevsky Gambit

The Polugaevsky Gambit is one of White's main attempts to unbalance the Classical Variation. After the pawn sacrifice 7. d5 exd5, the knight goes to the rim with 8. Nh4, threatening either to win back the d5-pawn or to jump to f5. Lev Polugaevsky's knight move revived Arturo Pomar's 7. d5. Black usually holds the pawn with 8...c6, while 8...Ne4 and 8...Re8 are less common. The engine judges the position as roughly balanced.