French Defense: Winawer Variation
ECO C15 · French Defense · tactical · advanced
The French Defense: Winawer Variation (C15) is a tactical chess opening in the French Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4. Aggressive line with Bb4. Complex and double-edged. Recommended for advanced players.
Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4
About this opening
The Winawer Variation (3.Nc3 Bb4) is the sharpest line of the French: the pin on the c3 knight often forces ...Bxc3, doubling White's pawns in return for the bishop pair and a kingside attack. The structural imbalances are pronounced and the play highly combative. Szymon Winawer gave it his name; Mikhail Botvinnik demonstrated all of its strategic depth.