Tree path 12 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 › French Defense: Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation › French Defense: Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation
- Chess Codex
- French Defense C00
- Normal Variation C00
- French Defense C00
- Paulsen Variation C10
- French Defense: Winawer Variation C15
- Advance Variation C16
- French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation C17
- French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation C17
- French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation C18
- French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation C18
- French Defense: Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation C18
- French Defense: Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation C18 you are here
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation
Overview
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn 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.
Play reaches this position via 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 cxd4 8. Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qxh7 Nbc6, after 18 plies of opening development.
The line refines French Defense: Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation, which traces back to the root opening French Defense.
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
- 18
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
18,126 games · White 48.0% / Draw 4.4% / Black 47.7%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| f4 | 5,283 | |
| Nf3 | 4,027 | |
| Ne2 | 3,752 | |
| cxd4 | 3,096 | |
| Qd3 | 626 | |
| Bb5 | 547 | |
| h4 | 154 | |
| Bd3 | 150 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:19:30
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