Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Petrosian Attack

The Petrosian Attack, 7. e3, is the quiet treatment of the Modern Variation. White does not fight for e4 at once with 7. Qc2 or force matters with 7. Qa4+. Instead, the pawn supports d4 and frees the f1-bishop before castling. Black usually develops with 7...Be7. The alternatives are 7...Nxc3, which clarifies the knight's position, and 7...Nd7, which keeps more pieces on. The engine rates the position as balanced, though White has scored well in the small database sample.