Kasparov Variation, Botvinnik Attack

The Botvinnik Attack follows the 5. Bg5 pin in the Kasparov Variation. After 5...h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Nh5, Black's knight attacks the bishop on g3 and offers to take it, which would win the bishop pair and end the pressure on the kingside. White most often replies 8. e3. The alternative 8. Be5 moves the bishop out of the knight's reach, and 8. e4 claims the center. The line is rarely seen, and the engine rates the position as roughly balanced.