Kalashnikov Variation

The Kalashnikov Variation, also called the Neo-Sveshnikov, arises when Black meets 5. Nb5 in the Löwenthal move order with 5...d6 instead of the older 5...a6. It is now the more popular of the two, and Evgeny Sveshnikov brought it into fashion in the late 1980s. The structure mirrors the Sveshnikov. Black tolerates a backward pawn on d6 and a hole on d5. The knight on b5 has little to attack beyond d6, and it is later driven back by ...a6 and ...b5. Black's king knight is still on g8 and White's queen knight still on b1, so both sides have extra choices.

Black can develop with ...Ne7, as in 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 b5 8. Nd5 Nge7, which sidesteps the plan of Bg5 and Bxf6 to double the f-pawns. Black can also prefer ...Be7-g5 or an early ...f5. 6. N1c3 is by far the most common reply. 6. c4 sets up a Maróczy Bind that tightens control of d5 and restrains ...b5, at the cost of a slightly weakened d4. The engine gives White a slight edge, and results online are close to even.