Caissa Codex
C15

French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation

Chess diagram: French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation after 6…Nc6

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Statistics from Lichess

29,942 games: White 47.3% / Draw 8.8% / Black 43.9%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
15,41815K
7,0237,023
4,6644,664
1,9981,998
566566
177177
6161
1818

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 23, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.20 The position is about equal

Best play: 7. Bb5 Ne7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Qd2 f5 10. O-O-O Nd5 11. Nxd5 Qxd5

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

Overview

French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation (ECO C15, Open Games) is a gambit in the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit Accepted, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6 (6 moves).

In 29,942 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.3%, Black 43.9% and 8.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Bb5, in 51% of those games.

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How to play against the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation

7. Bf4 scores best for White: 61.0%, with White winning 57.8% and Black 35.8% of 1,998 games. The most played, 7. Bb5, scores 49.8% in 15K games, and 7. Be3 scores lowest: 48.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 7. Bb5.

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

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation (C15)”. Lichess data as of 23 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-winawer-variation-alekhine-gambit-kan-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-winawer-variation-alekhine-gambit-kan-variation