Theoria
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Slav Defense

Steiner Variation

D16positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4c6
  3. 3.Nf3Nf6
  4. 4.Nc3dxc4
  5. 5.a4Bg4
1,146 games50%46%

Slav Defense line in which Black answers 5. a4 with 5...Bg4 instead of 5...Bf5; usually met by 6. Ne5, with White holding a slight edge.

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About the Steiner Variation

The Steiner Variation, also called the Bronstein Variation, develops the bishop to g4 rather than f5, the Czech Variation's square. With the e2-pawn still blocking the diagonal, the knight on f3 is not pinned, so 6. Ne5, the most common reply, gains time on the bishop. After 6...Bh5 White chooses between 7. f3, preparing e4, and 7. g3 with a fianchetto. An immediate 6. e4 can be answered by 6...e5. Engines give White a slight edge.

Popular continuations