ChessmateGet the appVariation
A variation is a recognized branch within an opening created by a particular move or sequence.
A variation belongs to a broader opening family. The Sicilian Najdorf, for example, is one branch of the Sicilian Defense.
A variation starts where a different move is chosen
An opening variation is a branch from a shared earlier position. The branch may have a formal name, or it may simply be an alternate continuation stored under a broader opening family.
Variations can contain smaller variations
After one branch is chosen, each later alternative creates another decision point. A repertoire tree can therefore contain variations inside variations, but the reader still experiences them one position at a time.
PGN stores alternate variations in parentheses
A PGN recursive annotation variation begins from the position before the move it replaces. Parentheses make the alternate line separate from the main movetext while preserving both in one game record.
1. e4 e5 (1... c5)- The Sicilian reply is stored as an alternative to 1...e5.