French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code C18, part of the French Defense family. It goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e6. After 12 moves it is White to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.
The moves
1. e4 – White plays the pawn to e4
1... e6 – Black plays the pawn to e6
2. d4 – White plays the pawn to d4
2... d5 – Black plays the pawn to d5
3. Nc3 – White plays the knight to c3
3... Bb4 – Black plays the bishop to b4
4. e5 – White plays the pawn to e5
4... c5 – Black plays the pawn to c5
5. a3 – White plays the pawn to a3
5... Bxc3+ – Black takes on c3 with the bishop, giving check
6. bxc3 – White captures on c3 with the b-pawn
6... Ne7 – Black plays the knight to e7
In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 7. Qg4.
About the French Defense
Black answers 1.e4 with 1...e6 and then ...d5, attacking White's centre. Black accepts a little less space for a very solid position.
If White plays e5, pawn chains form: White attacks on the kingside, Black on the queenside.
Black hits the chain at its base with ...c5 and adds pressure with ...Nc6 and ...Qb6.
The light-squared bishop on c8 is often passive; Black may trade it or free it with ...b6 and ...Ba6.
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