Classical Variation, Anti-Sozin Variation

Instead of the usual 6...e6, Black meets the Sozin bishop with 6...Qb6, attacking the knight on d4 and making White decide its fate before the standard Sozin plans can be set up. The most common reply is the retreat 7. Nb3, and Black scores well after it. 7. Nxc6 is close behind, while 7. Be3 is less frequent. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and overall results are nearly even.