ECO C15 · for Black
French Defense: Winawer Variation
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
889,839 games in this band reached the Winawer Variation position. From there Black won 46% and drew 4%.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Qc7
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e6
Intending a d7-d5 advance to contest the center.
2. d4
Creating the ideal pawn center, with pawns on d4 and e4.
2... d5
Challenging the center immediately, aiming to undermine White's control of the d4 square.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5
3. Nc3
Defending the e4 pawn.
3... Bb4
Pinning the knight and threatening to capture on e4 or double white's pawns.
4. e5
Advancing the pawn while gaining space and relieving pressure in the center.
- 4. exd5: Exchanging pawns in the center in order to avoid the mainline Winawer with e5.
4... c5
Challenging the center right away and threatening to capture on d4, weakening white's center.
Moves 5 to 6
5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7
5. a3
Threatening the bishop forcing either the mainline, Bxc3, or the much less common Ba5.
5... Bxc3+
Capturing on c3 to double white's pawns and relieve the threat on the bishop.
6. bxc3
Recapturing on c3, hoping to use the bishop pair and space advantage to win.
6... Ne7
Developing the knight and preparing to play against White's doubled pawns.
Move 7
7. Qg4 Qc7
7. Qg4
Attacking the undefended pawn on g7, taking advantage of the fact that the dark-squared bishop has been traded.
- 7. Nf3: Developing the knight to f3 and strengthening the center pawns.
7... Qc7
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles queenside
- The pawn on c5 generally captures the pawn on d4
- The pawn on d4 usually captures the pawn on c3
- The queenside knight often develops to c6
- The kingside rook typically develops to g8
- The light-squared bishop generally develops to d7
- A common pawn move is d4
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black