Caissa Codex
C13

French Defense: Classical Variation, Vistaneckis Variation

Chess diagram: French Defense: Classical Variation, Vistaneckis Variation after 5…Ng8

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

34,062 games: White 53.9% / Draw 4.8% / Black 41.4%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
16,04416K
12,11312K
4,4904,490
611611
507507
7878
5858
5656

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.94 White is better

Best play: 6. Bd2 c5 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. Nf3 h5 9. Qf4 cxd4 10. Nb5 Nc6

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

French Defense: Classical Variation, Vistaneckis Variation (ECO C13, Open Games) is a variation of the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Ng8 (5 moves).

In 34,062 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.9%, Black 41.4% and 4.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bxe7, in 47% of those games.

It continues into one named variation, French Defense: Classical Variation, Frankfurt Variation.

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How to play against the French Defense: Classical Variation, Vistaneckis Variation

6. Be3 scores best for White: 59.2%, with White winning 57.1% and Black 38.8% of 4,490 games. The most played answer, 6. Bxe7, scores lowest: 54.0% in 16K games. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Bd2.

Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings

Variations (1)

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 5. e5 Ng8, the position after French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “French Defense: Classical Variation, Vistaneckis Variation (C13)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-classical-variation-vistaneckis-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-classical-variation-vistaneckis-variation