Chess Codex
Tree path 10 levels French Defense › Normal Variation › French Defense › Paulsen Variation › French Defense: Winawer Variation › Advance Variation › French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation › French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation › French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation › French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
  1. Chess Codex
  2. French Defense C00
  3. Normal Variation C00
  4. French Defense C00
  5. Paulsen Variation C10
  6. French Defense: Winawer Variation C15
  7. Advance Variation C16
  8. French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation C17
  9. French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation C17
  10. French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation C18
  11. French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation C18 you are here
C18

French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation

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Overview

French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C18), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

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 12 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7.

The line refines French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, which traces back to the root opening French Defense.

The line has 8 documented children — with Bd3, with h4, French Defense: Winawer Variation, Eingorn Variation, and others being widely played.

Together the deeper variations number 22 across the full subtree.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code
C18
Group
Open Games (C)
Plies
12
Parent
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
Direct variations
8
Total in subtree
22

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

612,656 games · White 46.4% / Draw 5.5% / Black 48.0%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Qg4311,045
Nf3119,898
h448,394
f446,605
a437,584
Bd325,374
Bg56,005
Bb5+5,404

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:38:11

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Variations (8)

Related variations at the same level

Sister lines that share the same parent French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation:

Show all 22 sub-variations (full subtree)

https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-winawer-variation-advance-variation-5