Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nf3/3...Nf6/4. Nc3/4...dxc4/5. a4/5...Bg4

Steiner variation
	a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h
	Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rn1qkb1r/pp2pppp/2p2n2/8/P1pP2b1/2N2N2/1P2PPPP/R1BQKB1R
	Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bg4
	ECO code: D16
	Parent: Alapin variation

5...Bg4 · Steiner variation

Instead of the usual 5...Bf5, Black opts to put the bishop on g4, harassing White's knight. However, because the e-pawn hasn't advanced, the knight isn't actually pinned to the queen, so White can play 6. Ne5 with a tempo on the Bishop.

After the bishop retreats with 6...Bh5, White has the option to go for either 7. f3, preparing e4, or 7. g3, preparing to fianchetto.

Theory table

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bg4

6	7	8
Ne5 Bh5	f3 Nfd7	Nxc4 e5	⩲
... ...	... e6	g4 Nd5	±
... ...	g3 e6	Bg2 Bb4	⩲

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Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nf3/3...Nf6/4. Nc3/4...dxc4/5. a4/5...Bg4

5...Bg4 · Steiner variation

Theory table

References

See also

Steiner variation
a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rn1qkb1r/pp2pppp/2p2n2/8/P1pP2b1/2N2N2/1P2PPPP/R1BQKB1R
Moves: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bg4
ECO code: D16
Parent: Alapin variation