Chess Openings Lab
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French Defense: Winawer Variation

The Winawer Variation is 3.Nc3 Bb4, where Black pins the knight that defends e4. White usually answers 4.e5 and gains the bishop pair after a3 and bxc3, while Black accepts that trade to damage White's queenside pawns.

Moves
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4
ECO
C15
Engine
+0.54 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
4,831 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Push 4.e5, then a3 forces ...Bxc3+ and you recapture with bxc3, giving you the bishop pair.
  • Qg4 attacks g7 at once and uses the dark squares Black weakened by giving up the bishop.
  • 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bd3 is a calmer option with a symmetrical center.
  • Keep the doubled c-pawns as center support and use the bishops for a kingside attack.

Black

  • After 4.e5, play ...Ne7 and ...c5 to hit d4 and prepare ...Qc7 or ...Qa5.
  • Trade on c3 to double White's pawns, then pressure c3 and a3 with ...Qa5 and ...Nbc6.
  • Against Qg4, counterattack with ...Qc7 on c3 and e5 rather than only guarding g7.
  • Keep the center closed so White's two bishops stay less dangerous.

Plans and pawn structure

In the main line White gets doubled c-pawns and two bishops, while Black gets a solid closed center and pressure on c3 and the queenside. White attacks on the kingside with Qg4, h4 and the dark bishop. Black hits d4 and c3 with ...c5, ...Nbc6 and ...Qa5. Each side plays on a different wing, so time matters.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.54: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.54 4.e5 Ne7 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5
  2. +0.24 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.a3 Bd6
  3. +0.17 4.Ne2 dxe4 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Nxc3 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

4,831 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.0%.

under 120048.4%
1200–159951.6%
1600–199950.8%
2000 and up51.3%

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

Where it goes next

  • Winawer Variation, Advance Variation4.e5 · 1,211 games
  • Winawer Variation, Delayed Exchange Variation4.exd5 · 781 games
  • Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Alatortsev Variation4.Ne2 · rare
  • Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation, Main Line4.Bd2 · rare
  • Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation, Paoli Variation4.e5 · rare
  • Winawer Variation, Exchange Variation, Canal Attack4.exd5 · rare
  • Winawer Variation, Kondratiyev Variation4.Bd3 · rare
  • Winawer Variation, Winckelmann-Reimer Gambit4.a3 · rare

How to play against it

As White, play 4.e5 and a3. Do not be afraid of the doubled pawns; they control key squares. Use Qg4 to attack g7. Avoid quiet moves that let Black finish development before you open lines.

Questions

What are the moves of the French Defense: Winawer Variation?

The French Defense: Winawer Variation starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4. Its ECO code is C15.

Is the French Defense: Winawer Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.54 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 4,831 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.0%. A sharp, unbalanced line that suits Black players who like imbalances and White players who like attacking with the bishop pair.

What is the main idea of the French Defense: Winawer Variation?

Black pins and trades the c3 knight to double White's pawns. White gets two bishops and attacks on the kingside, especially with Qg4 hitting g7.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is e5, with exd5 and Ne2 close behind. 4.e5 gains space and prepares a3 to force the bishop trade on c3.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.