Tree path 6 levels French Defense › Normal Variation › French Defense › Paulsen Variation › French Defense: Steinitz Variation › French Defense: Steinitz Variation
C11

French Defense: Steinitz Variation 5…Nfd7 6. Ne2

Play from here → Click pieces to play, or use ← / → arrows.

Overview

French Defense: Steinitz Variation (ECO C11) is a variation of French Defense: Steinitz Variation, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 a6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Ne2 — 6 moves.

In 12,683 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.6%, Black 46.3% and 5.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…c5, in 90% of those games.

ECO code
C11
Group
Open Games (C)
Length
6 moves
Parent
French Defense: Steinitz Variation

Generated from the data: the Lichess opening list and opening explorer. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

12,683 games · White 48.6% / Draw 5.1% / Black 46.3%

MovesGamesW / D / B
c511,388
Be7578
b5239
h6174
f685
Nc647
f540
b640

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:27:13

Write a description

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.