THE MODERN LINE 5. e3
White's plan :
- to avoid the Black pressure on the a6-f1 diagonal by postponing the capture on a6 without losing the right to castle.
- to reinforce the b5 and d5 points by a4 and/or e4
Black's plan :
- with e3, the pawn d5 lacks protection and provide a target.
- strategies of counter-attack :
- 5...axb5 6. Bxb5 Qa5+ or normal strategy with 5...g6