Classical Variation, Spassky Variation

The Spassky Variation arises from the Carlsbad line of the Classical Tarrasch, 9. Bg5 cxd4 10. Nxd4 h6 11. Be3. Instead of the central 11...Re8, Black plays 11...Bg4 at once, developing the light-squared bishop to an active post where it bears on e2 and can be exchanged for a White minor piece. The isolated d5-pawn remains, so White keeps playing against it through the half-open d-file, the open c-file and the fianchettoed bishop on g2.