Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Stonewall Line

This line arrives at the Bogoljubow Variation's double-fianchetto setup through 2...e6 rather than 2...c6. Black keeps the d5-pawn supported in Queen's Gambit Declined fashion, develops with ...Nf6 and ...Be7, castles, and adds ...c6 only after White has committed to 6. b3. After 7. Bb2 both White bishops bear on the long diagonals, and c4 is White's only central pawn. White can still delay d4 and press against the center from the flanks in typical Réti manner. Black's pawn triangle is solid, but it shuts in the light-squared bishop, and Black's choice of move 7 largely decides how that problem is handled.

7...Nbd7 is the usual continuation, chosen in more than half of games, and it keeps the setup flexible. 7...b6 prepares to develop the c8-bishop on the queenside. 7...a5 gains space on the queenside and can later go to ...a4 to challenge the b3-pawn. The engine also likes 7...b5, an immediate strike at c4. The engine judges the position roughly balanced, while White has scored somewhat better in practice.