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.
Opening Name: French Defense: Winawer Variation, 6...Ne7 7.h4 Nbc6
Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. h4 Nbc6
Description: This line of the Winawer Variation in the French Defense features Black developing the knight to e7 instead of the usual d7, aiming to support the center and prepare kingside flexibility. White responds aggressively with 7.h4, signaling an intent to expand on the kingside and initiate a pawn storm against Black’s position. Black’s 7...Nbc6 develops another piece, reinforcing control over the central squares and contesting White’s spatial advantage.
Characteristic of the move 6...Ne7: The knight move to e7 is somewhat flexible and less common than 6...Nd7. It supports the d5-pawn indirectly, prepares to reroute the knight to g6 or f5, and keeps options open for Black’s kingside development, especially in responding to White’s kingside expansion.
Attacking or Defensive: White adopts an attacking stance, focusing on kingside space and potential pawn advances (like h5). Black’s setup is more positional and somewhat defensive, aiming to counterattack the center and contain White’s aggressive intentions.
Center Control: The opening contest centers strongly around the center squares. Black challenges White’s center with c5 and prepares to reinforce it with knights on c6 and e7, while White maintains a strong pawn center with e5 and d4. Thus, center control is a critical theme for both sides in this variation.
You can also discover how top players used French: Winawer, 6...Ne7 7.h4 Nbc6 to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.