Scheveningen Variation, Vitolins Variation

The Vitolins Variation meets the Scheveningen setup with 6. Bb5+, a check that forces Black to decide at once how to interpose. The line is named after the Latvian master Alvis Vitolins, a multiple national champion. The usual reply is 6...Bd7, which offers to trade the light-squared bishops. The main alternative is 6...Nbd7. The engine considers the position roughly balanced, and Black scores well in Lichess games.