Novosibirsk Variation

The Novosibirsk Variation, a name coined by Schiller, arises after 1. Nc3 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qh4. White recaptures on d4 with the queen and, when ...Nc6 attacks it, sends it to h4 instead of a central square. Theory views the retreat with suspicion, and the engine gives Black a slight edge after replies such as 4...d5 or the most common choice, 4...Nf6. In online games, however, White scores marginally better.