Classical Variation

The idea

After 4...Bc5 5.Be3 Qf6 6.c3 Nge7 7.Bc4, both sides have developed actively. Black's queen and bishop both aim at White's knight on d4 and at f2, and White has supported the knight with Be3 and c3.

Plans for White

Castle, then play Nd2 or Nc2 to keep the center solid. White can also aim for f4 to gain kingside space. Trading on c6 at the right moment can leave Black with weak pawns.

Plans for Black

Castle, then hit back in the center with ...d5 or ...d6, and use the queen on f6 and the bishop on c5 against f2. Black's pieces are well placed, so the plan is free development and pressure on d4.

Watch out for

For Black, 5...Nf6?? loses a piece: 6.Nxc6 and, whichever way Black takes back, 7.Bxc5. And 5...d6? is weak because of 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bxc5 dxc5, leaving Black with tripled c-pawns.

For White, f2. With Black's queen on f6 and bishop on c5, f2 is a target until White castles.