Chess Codex
Tree path 11 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 › with h4
  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
  12. with h4 C18 you are here
C18

French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, with h4

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Overview

French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, with h4 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.

It is reached after 13 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. h4.

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

It continues primarily into one named line, French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, with h4.

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
13
Parent
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
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

50,096 games · White 51.1% / Draw 5.7% / Black 43.1%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Qc715,393
Nbc612,891
Qa510,368
b63,493
Bd72,158
h51,658
O-O1,378
h61,211

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:48:43

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Variations (1)

Related variations at the same level

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

https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-winawer-variation-advance-variation-with-h4