This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
French Defense: Advance Variation, Euwe Variation
The Euwe Variation arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7. In this line, Black develops the bishop to d7 instead of the more common moves like ...Qb6 or ...Ne7. This move supports the central and queenside tension and prepares to reinforce control over the critical d5-square.
Characteristic of 5...Bd7: This bishop move is somewhat flexible and solid, aiming to connect Black's rooks early and sometimes preparing ...Qb6 or ...Rc8 without committing the queen too soon. It also supports potential ...f6 breaks to challenge White's advanced e5 pawn.
Strategic Nature: For White, the Advance Variation is inherently an attacking setup, as White gains space in the center with the e5 pawn and tries to cramp Black's position. Black’s Euwe Variation with 5...Bd7 is primarily a defensive and positional approach, focusing on counterattacking the center rather than immediate direct attacks.
Center Control: This opening revolves heavily around control of the center. White takes space with the pawn on e5, while Black aims to undermine and attack White’s center with moves like ...c5 and eventually ...f6. The Euwe Variation supports Black’s attempts to challenge the center in a patient and flexible manner.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the French Defense: Advance Variation, Euwe Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 16 - Move #7 black
You can also discover how top players used French Defense: Advance Variation, Euwe Variation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.