Tree path 9 levels French Defense › Normal Variation › French Defense › Paulsen Variation › French Defense: Classical Variation › French Defense: Classical Variation › Normal Variation › French Defense: Classical Variation › Steinitz Variation
French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation
Overview
French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation is a named branch in the Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO C14.
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 13 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. f4.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from French Defense: Classical Variation, part of the broader French Defense system.
It continues primarily into one named line, French Defense: Classical Variation, Stahlberg Variation.
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
- C14
- Group
- Open Games (C)
- Plies
- 13
- Direct variations
- 1
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
414,240 games · White 53.5% / Draw 5.7% / Black 40.7%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| a6 | 203,492 | |
| c5 | 116,420 | |
| O-O | 67,710 | |
| g6 | 7,020 | |
| Nc6 | 2,995 | |
| Qh4+ | 2,631 | |
| f5 | 2,425 | |
| f6 | 2,320 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:48:27
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