Tree path 9 levels French Defense › Normal Variation › French Defense › Paulsen Variation › French Defense: Classical Variation › French Defense: Classical Variation › Burn Variation › French Defense: Classical Variation › Burn Variation, Main Line
French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Main Line
Overview
French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Main Line is a named branch in the Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO C11.
The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.
The line arises from 14 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Nf3 O-O.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from French Defense: Classical Variation, part of the broader French Defense system.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- C11
- Group
- Open Games (C)
- Plies
- 14
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
207,198 games · White 56.5% / Draw 5.9% / Black 37.6%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| c3 | 81,392 | |
| Bd3 | 59,169 | |
| Nxf6+ | 19,001 | |
| Qd2 | 18,561 | |
| Bc4 | 10,890 | |
| h4 | 7,947 | |
| Be2 | 4,267 | |
| Qd3 | 2,898 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:56:34
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