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
The Winawer Variation arises after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4, where Black pins the knight on c3 to increase pressure on White’s center. In the Advance Variation with 4. e5, White gains space by pushing the e-pawn forward, challenging Black’s central presence.
The move 5. a3 is characteristic in this line as White immediately questions Black’s bishop on b4, forcing it to decide whether to exchange on c3 or retreat. This move aims to reduce Black’s pressure on the center and prepare for a more solid pawn structure.
From White’s perspective, this variation is attacking in nature, as White seeks to maintain a strong pawn chain and space advantage in the center while restricting Black’s active piece play. Black, on the other hand, takes a more counterattacking stance, targeting White’s center and trying to undermine it with moves like ...c5.
Overall, the opening is highly focused on controlling and contesting the center, with both sides vying for influence over the crucial d4 and e5 squares.
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 14 - Move #8 white
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.