San Jorge Variation

The San Jorge Variation arises after 4...d6 5. O-O g6 6. c3 Bg7. Black pairs the bishop on b7 with a kingside fianchetto and keeps the pawn on d6, so both bishops bear on White's d4–e4 center from the flanks. The engine rates White as clearly better. 7. Re1 is the usual reply. 7. Be3 and 7. a4 are the main alternatives, and 7. a4, which challenges b5, is among the engine's preferred moves.