Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...d5/2. c4/2...c6/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. Nf3/4...e6/5. Bg5/5...dxc4/6. e4/6...b5/7. e5/7...h6/8. Bh4/8...g5/9. Nxg5/9...hxg5/10. Bxg5

Botvinnik variation D44 Botvinnik variation 10. Bxg5 White recaptures the pawn, reestablishing the pin on the knight. Black can't avoid White gaining his piece back and should continue development. /10...Nbd7/ is the usual reply, representing the starting point of the Botvinnik variation. /10...Be7/ is another option, although it leads to many trades resulting in a very simplified position, which usually isn't the goal of players going into the Botvinnik. Theory table all Lilienthal variation 10. ... Nbd7 11. g3 10. ... Be7 References See also