French Winawer

Play as BlackDefence

Black pins the knight and fights for the dark squares, giving up the bishop pair.

The main line, move by move

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4

1. 1. e4 — Claim the center and open lines for the queen and bishop.
2. 1... e6 — The French: prepare ...d5 with a solid pawn chain.
3. 2. d4 — Build a big pawn center.
4. 2... d5 — Strike at the e4 pawn.
5. 3. Nc3 — Brings the knight into the game.
6. 3... Bb4 — Brings the bishop into the game.
7. 4. e5 — Gain space and close the center.
8. 4... c5 — Attack the base of the white pawn chain.
9. 5. a3 — Ask the bishop to trade on c3 or retreat.
10. 5... Bxc3+ — Takes the knight on c3. Gives check.
11. 6. bxc3 — Takes the bishop on c3.
12. 6... Ne7 — Brings the knight into the game.
13. 7. Qg4 — Attack the g7 pawn at once.

Related openings

• Sicilian Defense (Najdorf)
• French Defense
• Caro-Kann Defense
• Scandinavian Defense
• Pirc Defense

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