French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation

Before the first move

The Winawer Variation is the most uncompromising way to meet White's main line. By pinning the knight and eventually trading the dark-squared bishop, Black creates structural imbalances that lead to a deep strategic battle. White gains space and the bishop pair, while Black targets the doubled c-pawns and seeks a solid kingside setup.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the most popular move in chess, aiming for a classic open game. You have many ways to respond, including the symmetrical e5 or the Sicilian Defense with c5.

1... e6Black · your move

Move your pawn to e6. This solidifies your control over d5 and prepares to challenge the center on your very next move. It is the defining move of the French Defense.

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

2. d4White

White plays d4 to establish a classical center. While White could try the King's Indian Attack with d3 or the Chigorin with Qe2, the main line remains the most ambitious test.

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

Advance your pawn to d5. You are immediately striking back at the center and forcing White to decide what to do with the tension on the e4-square.

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 principled response. Other options like the Tarrasch with Nd2 or the Advance Variation with e5 lead to very different pawn structures and strategic themes.

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

Pin the knight by moving your bishop to b4. This is the Winawer Variation. You are putting immediate pressure on White's center by neutralizing the defender of the e4-pawn.

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 advances with e5, the most common reply. White could also try the Alekhine-Maróczy Gambit with Ne2 or the Exchange Variation with exd5, but e5 claims the most space.

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

Strike at the base of the pawn chain with c5. This is the standard French response, attacking the d4-pawn and creating room for your queen to enter the game.

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

5. a3White

White plays a3, putting the question to the bishop. White could also try the Moscow Variation with Qg4 or the Bogoljubow with Bd2 to avoid the doubled pawns.

Other paths here: Qg4 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Moscow Variation) · Bd2 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Bogoljubow Variation) · dxc5 (French: Winawer, Advance, 5.dxc5)

5... Bxc3+Black · your move

Capture the knight on c3 with check. This trade is the heart of the Winawer; you damage White's pawn structure in exchange for giving up your dark-squared bishop.

Other paths here: Ba5 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Retreat Variation) · cxd4 (French: Winawer, 5.a3 cxd4)

6. bxc3White

White recaptures with bxc3. The position is now clearly defined: White has a powerful center and the two bishops, while Black has a solid structure and targets on the c-file.

6... Ne7Black · your move

Develop your knight to e7. From here, the knight can support the c5-break, jump to f5 to pressure d4, or help defend your kingside after you castle.

Other paths here: Qc7 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Classical Variation) · Qa5 (French Defense: Winawer Variation, Portisch-Hook Variation)

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich. White will often launch a kingside pawn storm or use the bishop pair to dominate the board. Black aims to pressure the weak c4-pawn, blockade the center, and potentially launch a counter-attack on the queenside. Both sides must balance their aggressive intentions with careful prophylaxis against the opponent's unique advantages.

• e7-f5 Knight pressures the d4 pawn
• d1-g4 Queen eyes the kingside weaknesses
• c8-a6 Trade off the bad bishop
• h2-h4 Pawn storm to soften kingside