French Defense: Winawer Variation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 · C15–C19
Part of French Defense
Starting positionWhite to move
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Bishop pair against doubled pawns
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The idea
Black pins the knight on c3 and hands over the bishop pair for doubled white c-pawns and a permanent attack on the queenside — the most double-edged French.
Main line: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Qc7 8.Qxg7 Rg8 9.Qxh7 cxd4
What White wants
- Take the bishop pair and attack on the kingside with Qg4
- Accept doubled c-pawns in return for the two bishops and space
- Attack quickly — the long-term structure favours Black
What Black wants
- Pressure the c3 and c2 pawns and open lines with ...cxd4
- Coordinate the knights and remaining bishop against White's centre
- Choose a safe king position before opening more lines
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Bishop pair against doubled pawns
After ...Bxc3+ and bxc3 White has two bishops against bishop and knights, but doubled c-pawns. Black can pressure that structure; White has space and attacking chances. Neither the bishops nor the damaged pawns decide the game on their own.
Common mistake
Taking on g7 without preparing for the counterattack. Qxg7 is a recognised theoretical choice, not a refuted pawn grab; Black gains time on the queen and attacks d4, so White must coordinate development rather than simply defend the extra material.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
rnb1k1r1/ppq1np1Q/4p3/3pP3/3p4/P1P5/2P2PPP/R1B1KBNR w KQq - 0 10
Analyze this positionVariations
1 line branching from here.