Modern Variations, Anti-Qxd4 Move Order

After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4, Black can play 3...Nf6 before exchanging on d4. The point is the order of moves. If Black captures first with 3...cxd4, White has the option of 4. Qxd4. Attacking e4 first makes White deal with that pawn before Black commits to the exchange, and it also cuts down White's choices. The usual answer, 4. Nc3, defends e4, and Black then normally takes on d4 and returns to the Main Line.

White has two serious ways to avoid that. 4. dxc5 is almost as common as 4. Nc3 and wins the c-pawn for the moment, but 4...Nxe4 regains material and removes White's central pawn. 4. e5 gains space and drives the knight away from f6. It is less popular, and Black scores slightly better than White after both 4. dxc5 and 4. e5. The engine also rates the check 4. Bb5+ among the best moves. Overall results are close to even, and the engine gives White only a slight edge.