Steinitz Variation

The Steinitz Variation, 4...Qh4, was popularized by Wilhelm Steinitz. The queen sortie attacks e4 at once, and White usually cannot keep the pawn. In return White gets a lead in development and play against the black king, which often has to go to d8. The most popular reply is 5. Nc3, which leads to the line White has handled best: 5...Bb4 6. Be2 Qxe4 7. Nb5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Kd8 9. O-O. Here the misplaced king has generally mattered more than Black's extra pawn. The simple 5. Nxc6 is almost as common.

The Horwitz Attack, 5. Nb5, eyes c7. Black usually answers 5...Qxe4+, which often transposes to the main line, or plays 5...Bc5 or 5...Bb4+. One common line is 5...Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 Kd8 8. O-O Bxd2. The Fraser Variation, 5. Nf3, typically goes 5...Qxe4+ 6. Be2 Bb4+ 7. c3 Be7 8. O-O. Rarer tries are 5. Qd3 and the Braune Variation, 5. Be3. The engine gives White a slight edge, yet Black scores better than White in online games.