Kasparov-Petrosian Variation, Polovodin Gambit

The Polovodin Gambit is White's most ambitious seventh move in the Modern Variation of the Kasparov-Petrosian line. Instead of supporting the center slowly with 7. e3 or 7. Qc2, White advances 7. e4 at once and dislodges the d5-knight. The pawn is only loosely held. Once the knights are exchanged, the c3-knight that was defending e4 is gone, and Black's fianchettoed bishop on b7 bears down on it. White gives up the pawn for a broad pawn center, open lines and quicker development. The half-open c- and d-files give the play an open, dynamic character.

Black accepts the challenge in the vast majority of games with 7...Nxc3. The main alternative is 7...Nf6, which keeps the knights on the board and attacks e4 again without simplifying. Retreats such as 7...Ne7 are rarely seen. The engine gives Black a slight edge, which suggests the pawn offer is objectively questionable. In practice the results are almost evenly split, with White winning marginally more often and draws being uncommon.