Tree path 13 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, Positional Variation › French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation › French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation
C19

French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation

Open in Lichess
Share: X Reddit Telegram Facebook
Play from here → Click pieces to play, or use ← / → arrows.

Overview

French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C19), 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. a4 Nbc6 8. Nf3 Qa5 9. Bd2 Bd7, after 18 plies of opening development.

The line refines French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional 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
C19
Group
Open Games (C)
Plies
18
Parent
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation

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

7,394 games · White 47.8% / Draw 6.3% / Black 45.9%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Bd32,057
Bb51,909
Be21,425
c4924
h4449
Qb1277
dxc5109
g398

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:19:36

Write a description

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