Fianchetto Variation, Kramnik Variation
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4e6
- 3.Nf3b6
- 4.g3Bb7
- 5.Bg2Be7
- 6.O-OO-O
- 7.Re1
282 games
A rare Queen's Indian Fianchetto line in which White plays 7. Re1 instead of 7. Nc3, a quiet rook move leading to a roughly balanced middlegame.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Kramnik Variation
The Kramnik Variation departs from the Old Main Line, 7. Nc3, with 7. Re1. This is a quieter rook move that leaves the knight's development open for now and puts the rook on the e-file, where it backs a later e2-e4. The most common reply, 7...d5, has scored heavily for White in the database. The main alternatives are 7...d6 and 7...Ne4, which contests e4 at once. The engine rates the position roughly balanced, and the line is seldom seen.