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: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
This opening arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5. Here, White advances the e-pawn to e5, gaining space and initiating a strong pawn chain in the center.
Characteristic: The move 4. e5 is the defining feature of the Advance Variation, aiming to restrict Black’s central counterplay and space. It locks the center temporarily, challenging Black to find counterplay around the pawn chain rather than in the center immediately.
Attacking or Defensive: From White’s perspective, this is a more attacking and space-gaining approach, as White seeks to cramp Black’s position and prepare for kingside activity. Black’s play is typically counterattacking, focusing on undermining White’s pawn chain and targeting the d4 pawn.
Center Control: White directly occupies and controls the center with pawns on d4 and e5, exerting spatial dominance. Black challenges this central control indirectly, often looking to attack the base of White’s pawn chain and contest the center from the flanks.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 33 - Move #6 black
You can also discover how top players used French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.