Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Classical Variation

The Classical Variation recaptures on d5 with the e-pawn, 6...exd5, instead of the knight as in the more popular Modern Variation. The resulting structure resembles an Exchange Queen's Gambit Declined: d4 faces d5, the c- and e-files are half-open, and the b7-bishop is blunted by its own pawn. White most often answers 7. Bg5, pinning the knight, with 7. g3 and 7. Bf4 the main alternatives. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, though White scores well in practice.