French Defense Advance Variation
French Defense Advance Variation
Definition
The French Defense – Advance Variation arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5. By immediately pushing the e-pawn two squares forward, White stakes out space in the center and clamps down on Black’s natural break …c5. This line is one of the three major branches of the French Defense (the other two being the Tarrasch, 3.Nd2, and the Classical, 3.Nc3).
Typical Move Order
The most common continuations continue:
- 3…c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 – the modern main line.
- 3…c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 – the Milner-Barry (7…Bd7) systems.
- 3…c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 – the Short Variation, popularized by GM Nigel Short.
- 3…c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Be3 – the Paulsen Attack, a modern attempt to postpone Nf3.
Strategic Themes
Because the pawn structure is locked by e5 vs. e6, both sides pursue long-term plans rather than immediate tactical blows:
- White’s Aims
- Maintain the broad center and restrict Black’s pieces.
- Support a future f2–f4–f5 pawn thrust to open the f-file.
- Advance on the kingside with moves like Qg4, Bd3, h4-h5.
- Undermine Black’s queenside pressure without weakening the d4 pawn.
- Black’s Aims
- Attack the pawn chain’s base with the classic breaks …c5 and …f6.
- Generate counterplay on the queenside, often targeting the d4 pawn or the c-file.
- Exchange dark-squared bishops with …Bd7 …Bb5 or …b6 …Ba6 to weaken White’s dark squares.
- Prepare thematic sacrifices on e5 or f3 when the center opens.
Historical Significance
Although first seen in the late 19th century, the Advance Variation gained mainstream acceptance only after Alexander Alekhine employed it in the 1920s. Later, Soviet legends such as Mikhail Botvinnik and Viktor Korchnoi refined its theory. In the 1990s, Nigel Short’s dynamic treatment (h4/g4 storms) revived the line for elite play, leading to its current reputation as a fully respectable weapon for White.
Illustrative Game
Short’s king-side expansion showed that the Advance Variation could be played for a win even against top opposition.
[[Pgn| e4|e6|d4|d5|e5|c5|c3|Nc6|Nf3|Qb6|Bd3|cxd4|cxd4|Bd7|0-0|Nxd4|Nxd4|Qxd4|Nc3|Qxe5| Aronian,|Levon|–|Short,|Nigel||Wijk|aan|Zee|1992|1-0 |arrows|e5e6,d4d5|squares|e5,d4]]Typical Tactical Motifs
- …f6 Break – Black sacrifices a pawn to shatter the e5-d4 chain and open lines for the pieces.
- Greek Gift on h7 – With a bishop on d3 and queen on g4, White may sacrifice Bxh7+ if Black’s king is insufficiently defended.
- Queenside Pawn Storm – If White castles long, Black can answer with …a6 …b5 …b4 battering the c3 pawn.
Model Position
After the main-line moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3, a tabiya (reference position) is reached:
[[Pgn| e4|e6|d4|d5|e5|c5|c3|Nc6|Nf3|Qb6|a3| ]]Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Fischer’s Surprise: Bobby Fischer almost never faced the French, but when he did (Reshevsky – Fischer, U.S. Championship 1966), he chose the Advance and scored a smooth win.
- Computer Endorsement: Modern engines rate the Advance Variation as equal for both sides, overturning the older view that it was “harmless.”
- Psychological Edge: By locking the center on move three, White forces Black to play a maneuvering game, uncomfortable for players who prefer immediate piece activity.
When to Choose the Advance
Select the Advance Variation when you:
- Enjoy strategic positions with clear long-term plans.
- Want to avoid the heavily analyzed Winawer or Rubinstein systems.
- Prefer to attack on the kingside against a cramped opponent.
Further Study
Recommended resources include Mikhail Gurevich’s classic “The French Defense” chapters on the Advance, and recent video courses by GMs Jan Gustafsson and Sam Shankland. Practice the typical structures in thematic blitz games to internalize plans for both colors.