1.e4 — the open games
French Winawer
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4ECO C15–C19
The sharpest French: Black pins the c3-knight and is ready to trade it off, wrecking White's queenside pawns in exchange for White's big centre and bishop pair. A tense, imbalanced fight beloved of uncompromising players.
Key ideas
- …Bb4 pins the knight; after …Bxc3+ bxc3 White has doubled c-pawns but the two bishops and a strong centre.
- White plays for a kingside attack behind the e5-pawn; Black hits the c3/d4 base with …c5 and …Qc7.
- The imbalance — bishops and centre vs structure and dark squares — makes it a real battle.
Who it suits
Combative players who'll take on structural weaknesses for dynamic, imbalanced play.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the French Winawer move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer