Apparently, this move has recently become popular at Master level as an alternative to the usual 8. Be2.
What I want to know is if anyone could enlighten me to the theory behind this somewhat odd-looking move... I do notice that an immediate ...h6 is no longer a good idea, because then Ne4 is possible. I assume White plans a quick c4 and then a bishop retreat to c2, or even b1, in order to push the d-pawn and develop the other bishop.