Horwitz Attack

The Horwitz Attack, 5. Nb5, is White's main alternative to 5. Nc3 against the Steinitz Variation. Instead of protecting e4, the knight eyes c7 and offers the pawn for development. Black usually takes with 5...Qxe4+, often transposing to the 5. Nc3 main line. The engine prefers bishop moves, and Black scores better in practice after 5...Bc5 or 5...Bb4+. The latter leads to the Blackburne Variation, 6. Bd2 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 Kd8 8. O-O Bxd2 9. Qxd2.