Chess Openings Lab
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French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation

The Steinitz Variation is 3...c5 4.dxc5 in the Advance French, where White gives up the d4 support to grab c5. White hopes to hold e5 with pieces like Nf3 and Bf4, while Black regains c5 and attacks the now lonely e5 pawn.

Moves
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5
ECO
C02
Engine
−0.42 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
912 games in our lichess sample
White scores
44.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Defend e5 with pieces: Nf3, Bf4 and Bd3, as in the engine lines with 7.Bf4.
  • Nc3 develops and watches d5 and b5, keeping Black's d-pawn from advancing too soon.
  • Qg4 ideas can hit the g7 pawn once Black's dark-squared bishop leaves f8 for c5.

Black

  • Take back on c5 with the bishop; it lands on an active diagonal at once.
  • Then pile on e5: ...Nc6, ...Qc7 and ...Nge7-g6 hit it again and again.
  • 4...Nd7 also works: the knight attacks e5 and Black can recapture on c5 next.
  • ...f6 is a second way to attack e5 once White's pieces are committed.

Plans and pawn structure

Without the d4 pawn, e5 is a lonely target, and Black's plan is to win it or force concessions. White needs Nf3, Bf4, Bd3 and quick castling to keep it, and Qe2 adds one more defender. Black has free development and a good bishop on c5, so the usual French problems are gone. If e5 falls, Black's center rolls forward with ...d4.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.42: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.42 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Bxc5 6.Nc3 Qc7 7.Bf4
  2. −0.39 4...Bxc5 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Bf4
  3. −0.15 4...Nd7 5.Nf3 Bxc5 6.Nc3 Ne7 7.Bd3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

912 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 44.8%.

under 120042.7%
1200–159944.6%
1600–199945.8%
2000 and up50.0%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

Recapture on c5 with the bishop and go after e5 right away with ...Nc6 and ...Qc7. Don't rush ...f6 before your pieces are out, as it can loosen e6. If White plays Bf4 and Bd3, develop the g8-knight to e7 and then g6 for more pressure.

Questions

What are the moves of the French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation?

The French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5. Its ECO code is C02.

Is the French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.42 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 912 lichess games from our sample, White scored 44.8%. Comfortable for Black and rarely dangerous; White needs precise piece play just to hold e5.

What is the main idea of the French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation?

White takes on c5 and must then defend e5 with pieces. Black regains the pawn with ...Bxc5 and attacks e5 with knights and the queen.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc6, with Bxc5 and Nd7 close behind. 4...Nc6 develops and attacks e5 at once, leaving ...Bxc5 for the next move.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.