Classical Variation, Intermezzo Variation

The Intermezzo Variation takes its name from the in-between move 5...Qf6. Instead of recapturing on c6 at once, Black attacks f2 with queen and bishop, threatening 6...Qxf2#, while the knight on c6 remains en prise. White cannot both parry the mate and save the knight, so the piece is returned, and Black usually recaptures with the d-pawn. This keeps the queenside structure intact, avoids the doubled pawns of 5...bxc6 and the queen exchange that follows 5...dxc6 6. Qxd8+ Kxd8. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and on Lichess Black's results are somewhat better than White's.

White's choice of defense sets the character of the game. 6. Qf3 is the most frequent answer and offers a queen trade; here Black often takes back with the b-pawn anyway, either directly or via 6...Qxf3 7. gxf3 bxc6, although 6...dxc6 also occurs. 6. Qe2 and 6. Be3, which blocks the bishop's diagonal to f2, are other common replies, and 6. f4 appears occasionally. After 6. Qd2 dxc6 7. Nc3, Black commonly continues 7...Be6, 7...Ne7 or 7...Bd4.