Anglo-Slav Variation, New York System

This line belongs to the Anglo-Slav complex. White reaches it by playing 3. b3 and 4. Bb2 before committing to g3, and Black meets this with 4...Bf5, developing the light-squared bishop outside the ...c6/...d5 chain before ...e6. The most common reply, 5. g3, transposes to the London Defensive System. 5. d3 and 5. e3 are the main alternatives, and 5. e3 has scored better for Black than for White. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.