Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation

The Réti Variation is the Maróczy Bind form of the Kan. With 5. c4 White sets pawns on c4 and e4, taking control of d5 and making both ...d5 and ...b5 hard to achieve. In return, White postpones Nc3, so the d4-knight and the e4-pawn can lack support for a move, and the d4-square is somewhat loosened. Black usually responds with a cramped but resilient setup behind the e6-pawn, waiting for a chance to break with ...b5 or ...d5. White aims to keep the bind and gain space.

The main reply is 5...Qc7, which watches e5 and c4. The second most frequent is 5...Nf6, which attacks e4 at once. After 5...Nf6 6. Nc3, the Bronstein Variation, 6...Bb4 7. Bd3 Nc6, pins the knight and adds pressure on e4. 5...Nc6 offers a Taimanov-style treatment. 5...g6, the Hedgehog Variation, is rare and scores poorly for Black. The engine also considers 5...Bb4+. It rates the position as roughly balanced, and results in the Lichess database are almost even, with very few draws.