French Defense: Lputian Variation
French Defense
Definition
The French Defense is a half-open chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 e6. Black immediately prepares to challenge the e4-pawn with …d5 while keeping a solid pawn chain. The ECO classification is C00–C19.
Typical Move-Order
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
Strategic Themes
- Pawn Chain Battles: White usually builds a chain e4–d4, while Black answers with …d5 …c5 (or …f6) to undermine it.
- Light-Squared Bishop Dilemma: Black’s c8-bishop often becomes “bad,” so typical plans involve …b6–…Ba6 or …Bd7–e8–g6 to activate it.
- Counter-Attack Rather Than Symmetry: Unlike the symmetrical 1…e5, the French relies on dynamic counterplay against the center.
Historical Significance
The name dates back to an 1834 Paris–London correspondence match whose French team adopted 1…e6 as their pet line and won.
World Champions such as Botvinnik, Karpov, and Carlsen have used the French Defense at the highest level.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The game (Botvinnik–Petrosian, Moscow 1951 Candidates) shows thematic central tension and pressure on d4.
Interesting Facts
- Anatoly Karpov relied on the French in both World Championship matches vs. Kasparov (1984–1990), proving its solidity.
- The French is the second-most popular reply to 1.e4 at master level after 1…c5 (the Sicilian).
Advance Variation (of the French Defense)
Definition
The Advance Variation arises after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5. White grabs spatial advantage by pushing the e-pawn, locking the center and forcing both sides to maneuver around the fixed pawn chain.
Canonical Diagram After 3.e5
r n b q k b n r
p p p p p p p
. .
.
P P
.
P P . . P P P P
R N B Q N B K R
Main Plans
- For White: Support the center with c3, develop pieces via Nf3, Bd3, and launch a kingside attack with h4–h5 or f4–f5.
- For Black: Strike the base of the chain by …c5 and/or …f6; put pressure on d4 with …Nc6, …Qb6, or …Bd7.
Model Game
Carlsen–Anand, World Championship 2014 (Game 4) saw the Advance; Carlsen’s 6.a3 (a Lputian idea) avoided heavy theory and helped him win an instructive endgame.
Trivia
- The variation was considered dubious for White in the 19th century until Nimzowitsch rehabilitated it with modern prophylactic concepts.
- Many computer engines nowadays rate the Advance as one of White’s most challenging attempts against the French.
Paulsen Variation (French Advance)
Definition
The Paulsen Variation is reached after
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6.
Named after the 19th-century German master Louis Paulsen, it is Black’s most classical setup against the Advance.
Strategic Ideas
- Immediate pressure on d4 by coordinating …c5 and …Nc6.
- Flexible piece play: the b8-knight can jump to e7 or h6; the c8-bishop may emerge via d7 or a6.
- Balanced risk: Black concedes space but gains multiple pawn breaks (…f6 / …cxd4).
Theory Snapshot
5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3 (Lputian) or 6. Be2 Bd7
Historical Note
Paulsen himself employed the line against Morphy in the 1860s. Later, Korchnoi and Ivanchuk turned it into a razor-sharp modern battleground.
Example Fragment
Even after the queens come off, the minority pawn race on the queenside defines the middlegame.
Main Line (Opening Terminology)
Definition
The “Main Line” of any opening is the sequence of moves regarded by current theory as the most critical and frequently played for both sides. It contrasts with sidelines, gambits, or “off-beat” systems.
Usage in Chess Literature
Opening manuals often present a trunk diagram, then label continuations as “Main Line: …” Example: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 is the Main Line of the Paulsen.
Why It Matters
- Indicates the most intensively analyzed path, where novelties (known as “TN”s) are most valuable.
- Tournament preparation focuses on the main line because opponents are likely to choose it.
Anecdote
Grandmasters sometimes deliberately avoid main lines to sidestep preparation—Kasparov, for instance, played the offbeat 1.g3 against Karpov in 1987 to dodge his rival’s immense opening files.
Lputian Variation
Definition
The Lputian Variation is a branch of the French Advance Paulsen Main Line characterized by the quiet rook-pawn move 6.a3:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3
It is named after Armenian Grandmaster Smbat Lputian, who popularized 6.a3 in the 1980s.
Strategic Purpose of 6.a3
- Prevents …Bb4+ which can pin and exchange the important c3-knight.
- Prepares b4 to expand on the queenside, supporting the c3–d4 pawn chain from behind.
- Poses Black an immediate choice: capture on d4 (cxd4) or delay, each with different structural consequences.
Main Continuations
- 6…cxd4 7.cxd4 Nh6 8.b4 – White grabs space and clamps down on c5.
- 6…Bd7 7.b4 – avoiding exchanges, leading to rich maneuvering battles.
Example Game
Lputian–Korchnoi, Erevan 1988: A creative struggle in which White’s queenside initiative outweighed Black’s central pressure.
Interesting Facts
- Engines initially disliked 6.a3, but cloud-based analysis now shows it scores comparably with traditional moves like 6.Be2 or 6.Na3.
- Smbat Lputian served as President of the Armenian Chess Federation’s academy; fittingly, many Armenian juniors still choose 6.a3 as their weapon.