French Defense Chigorin Variation
French Defense – Chigorin Variation
Definition
The Chigorin Variation is a branch of the Classical French Defense that begins with the moves
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4.
After 5.Nxe4, Black usually continues with 5…Be7 or 5…Nbd7, reaching a position in which the central pawn tension has been resolved very early. The line is named after the great Russian master Mikhail Chigorin (1850-1908), who championed it at the end of the 19th century.
Move Order & Typical Position
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nc3 Nf6
- Bg5 dxe4
- Nxe4 Be7 (or 5…Nbd7)
The resulting key position shows:
- Symmetrical pawn structures: pawns still on e6/d5 vs. e4/d4.
- White’s light-squared bishop eyeing the h1–a8 diagonal.
- Black’s quick clarification of the center, preparing …c5 or …e5 without being cramped.
Strategic Ideas
For White
- Seize space with 6.Nxf6+ Bxf6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Nf3, then advance f2-f4 and possibly 0-0-0.
- Maintain the central pawn duo e4-d4 and use it to cramp Black or to open lines with e4-e5.
- Exploit the latent pin on the f6-knight if Black delays …Be7.
For Black
- Strike back in the center with …c5 or …e5, arguing that White’s advanced pawn on e4 can become a target.
- Exchange minor pieces (often with …Bxf6) to reduce White’s attacking potential.
- Develop harmoniously: …Nbd7, …b6, …Bb7, and castle kingside.
Historical Notes
Mikhail Chigorin employed the variation in numerous exhibition and tournament games, notably at Havana 1889. The line later attracted supporters such as Tigran Petrosian, Viktor Korchnoi, and more recently Vishy Anand and Alexander Grischuk, all of whom have used it occasionally as a surprise weapon at elite level.
Illustrative Games
- Chigorin – Steinitz, Havana 1889
Chigorin used the variation to score a thematic win featuring an f-pawn storm and a sacrificial attack on the kingside. - Anand – Shirov, Linares 1998
Anand, with Black, neutralized White’s chances with …c5 and a timely …e5 break, eventually winning in the endgame.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Chigorin’s original intention was to avoid the heavily analyzed main lines of his day and to reach positions “where only skill, not memory, counts.” That ethos still draws modern French players to this variation.
- The line is sometimes confused with the Burn Variation (4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nbd7), but in strict opening nomenclature the presence of …Be7 marks the pure Chigorin.
- Because the center clarifies so quickly, some theoreticians jokingly call it “the French that behaves like a Caro-Kann.”
- AlphaZero’s self-play games (2018) featured a surprising number of Chigorin setups for Black, giving fresh engine-driven ideas like early …h6–g5 pawn storms.