French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation

Before the first move

The Winawer Variation is one of the most complex battlegrounds in the French Defense. By pinning the knight on c3, you create immediate tension, leading to sharp imbalances where White gains space and attacking chances while you fight to shatter their central pawn structure.

1. e4White

White plays e4, the most popular starting move. By occupying the center, White invites a variety of responses; while the French Defense is our focus, you might also see the Sicilian with c5 or the symmetrical e5.

1... e6Black · your move

Move your pawn to e6. This solid move prepares to challenge the center with d5 on your next turn. It characterizes the French Defense, opting for a sturdy structure over immediate piece contact.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. d4White

White plays d4, seizing the full center. While the King's Indian Attack with d3 or the Chigorin with Qe2 are common alternatives, the main line here demands that you immediately contest the d4-e4 complex.

Other paths here: b4 (French Defense: Banzai-Leong Gambit) · Bb5 (French Defense: Bird Invitation) · Qe2 (French Defense: Chigorin Variation) · b3 (French Defense: Horwitz Attack)

2... d5Black · your move

Move your pawn to d5. You are now directly challenging White's e4-pawn. This creates immediate tension and forces White to decide whether to defend, capture, or push past your pawn.

Other paths here: b5 (French Defense: Baeuerle Gambit) · f5 (French Defense: Franco-Hiva Gambit) · c5 (French Defense: Franco-Sicilian Defense) · Nf6 (French Defense: Mediterranean Defense)

3. Nc3White

White plays Nc3, the most aggressive and theoretical response. Other options like the Tarrasch with Nd2 or the Schlechter with Bd3 lead to very different types of games, but this move leads to the sharpest lines.

Other paths here: Be3 (French Defense: Alapin Gambit) · c4 (French Defense: Diemer-Duhm Gambit) · Nh3 (French Defense: Morphy Gambit) · Nf3 (French Defense: Perseus Gambit)

3... Bb4Black · your move

Bring your bishop to b4. This move initiates the Winawer Variation by pinning the knight to the king. You are threatening to capture on e4 now that the defender is immobilized.

Other paths here: dxe4 (French Defense: Rubinstein Variation) · Be7 (French: 3.Nc3 Be7) · Nc6 (French Defense: Hecht-Reefschläger Variation) · Nf6 (French Defense: Classical Variation)

4. e5White

White plays e5, entering the Advance Variation of the Winawer. White avoids the gambit lines like the Winckelmann-Riemer (a3) or the Alekhine-Maróczy (Ne2), opting instead for a massive space advantage.

Other paths here: Ne2 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine-Maróczy Gambit) · exd5 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Delayed Exchange Variation) · Bd2 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation) · a3 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Winckelmann-Riemer Gambit)

4... c5Black · your move

Push your pawn to c5. You must strike at the base of White's pawn chain immediately. This move challenges d4 and prepares to bring your queen out to a5 or b6 to increase the pressure.

Other paths here: Qd7 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Petrosian Variation) · b6 (French: Winawer, 4.e5 b6) · Ne7 (French: Winawer, Advance, 4...Ne7)

Where you stand

The position is highly unbalanced. White will likely play a3 to force your bishop to trade for the knight, resulting in doubled pawns for White but a powerful bishop pair. Black will focus on attacking the d4-pawn and the queenside, while White often seeks a direct attack against the Black king using the space on e5.

• b4-c3 Trade bishop for knight to damage pawn structure
• g8-e7 Develop knight to support the center
• a2-a3 Kick the bishop to resolve the pin
• d1-g4 Target the weakened g7 square