White's last major alternative after
3.Nf3 Nf6, shown in the diagram, is to play a waiting move with the Queen. This protects White's c-Pawn and prevents Black from grabbing it with ...dxc4. The Queen moves are less popular than the alternatives, because it is too early to say where the Queen will be best located,
The first Queen move worth considering is 4.Qc2, keeping an eye on both c4 and e4. After 4...e6, White can take advantage of the c-Pawn's protection by fianchettoing the Kingside Bishop with 5.g3. This leaves Black many options: 5...Nbd7, 5...dxc4, and 5...Be7. An alternative for White is 5.Bg5, again possible because the c-Pawn doesn't need to be protected immediately by e2-e3. Black can continue developing with 5...Nbd7, or force White to make a decision about the future of the Bishop with 5...h6.
After 4.Qc2, Black can also play 4...dxc4 5.Qxc4, followed by 5...Bf5 or 5...Bg4. Another alternative is 4...g6, preparing to attack the Queen with ...Bf5.
White's other Queen move 4.Qb3, ignores e4, but attacks Black's looming weak spot on b7. Black can play as in the 4.Qc2 variation with 4...dxc4, or await further developments with 4...e6.
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