French Defense Steinitz Attack
French Defense Steinitz Attack
Definition
The French Defense Steinitz Attack (often called the Steinitz Variation) is a branch of the French Defense in which White locks the center with an early pawn thrust to e5. It usually arises after
Main line: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 (or 3. Nd2) Nf6 4. e5
A rarer but related sideline, 1. e4 e6 2. e5, is sometimes also called the Steinitz Attack; it seeks similar strategic aims without committing the d-pawn.
Historical Background
World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900) championed the idea of gaining space and building up behind a protected passed pawn. His experiments in closed positions inspired this variation, and the line still bears his name more than a century later.
- First serious tests: Steinitz vs. Gunsberg, World Championship 1889.
- Popular in the 1920s–30s thanks to players such as Alexander Alekhine and Savielly Tartakower.
- Rejuvenated in the 1980s by Garry Kasparov, Nigel Short, and Viktor Korchnoi.
Typical Move Order
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nc3 Nf6 (3…Bb4 transposes to the Winawer; 3.Nd2 has identical ideas)
- e5 Nfd7
- f4 c5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Be3 Be7
- Qd2 0-0
- 0-0-0 a6 (…cxd4 and …f6 are other choices)
From here the battle revolves around whether Black can erode the e5-pawn with …f6 and/or …cxd4 while White tries to mount a kingside attack.
Strategic Themes
- Space vs. Flexibility. The pawn on e5 gives White central space and kingside prospects, but it also fixes the structure, giving Black clear targets (d4, e5).
- Minor-piece battles. White often maneuvers a knight to f4 or g5, while Black re-routes pieces with …Nd7–b6 or …Nd7–f8–g6.
- Pawn breaks.
- White: f4-f5, g4-g5, sometimes c2-c4.
- Black: …c5, …f6, and occasionally …g5 to blunt White’s attack.
- Opposite-side castling. After 0-0-0 by White and …0-0 by Black, the game often turns into a sharp race: pawns and pieces storm toward the enemy king.
Model Game
Kasparov vs. Korchnoi, Lucerne Olympiad 1982 – a modern showcase of the Steinitz Attack’s attacking potential.
Kasparov castled long, pushed his kingside pawns, and crushed through with a thematic exchange sacrifice on h7, demonstrating how quickly White’s spatial edge can translate into a direct attack.
Usage in Modern Play
The Steinitz Attack appeals to players who enjoy strategic clarity coupled with attacking chances.
- Grandmaster repertoire choice: It appears intermittently at elite level – e.g., Caruana, Vachier-Lagrave, and Giri have all tried it when aiming for a complex fight.
- Club-level practicality: Many French-Defense players meet 3.Nc3 with 3…Bb4 (Winawer); choosing the Steinitz sidesteps that theory battle.
- Time-controls: The clear attacking plans make it popular in rapid and blitz.
Practical Tips
- For White: Don’t rush the kingside pawn storm – complete development first (Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0) and keep an eye on Black’s …f6 break.
- For Black: Challenge the center early with …cxd4 or …f6; if you hesitate, White’s space advantage can become overwhelming.
- Remember the typical maneuver …Nd7-f8-g6 – it both hits e5 and reinforces the kingside.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Wilhelm Steinitz himself used the line only sparingly – his deeper contribution was the strategic concept of “defense before attack” in closed centers.
- In the 1927 Alekhine–Capablanca World Championship, Alekhine prepared the Steinitz Variation as a surprise weapon but never got to play it.
- Computers originally disliked White’s space grab, but neural-network engines (e.g., Leela Zero) now rate the line as fully playable for both sides.
- The immediate 2.e5 version can transpose to the Advance French after 2…d5 3.d4, giving White move-order flexibility.