French Defense Winawer Advance Retreat Variation
French Defense – Winawer Advance Retreat Variation
Definition
The Winawer Advance Retreat Variation is a branch of the French Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Ba5. White first advances the e-pawn (the “Advance”), then chases the black bishop with 5. a3, to which Black responds by retreating the bishop to a5 instead of exchanging it on c3. The resulting positions feature an unbalanced pawn structure, a locked center, and rich strategic play.
Typical Move Order
Key moves leading to the tabiya:
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nc3 Bb4
- e5 c5 (Advance Variation)
- a3 Ba5 (Retreat)
Strategic Themes
- Space vs. Piece Activity White gains kingside and central space with e5 and often f4, g4, but Black keeps the bishop pair and pressure against d4.
- Pawn Chain c3–d4–e5 This structure fixes the center; plans revolve around pawn breaks (…f6 or …cxd4 for Black, c4 or f4–f5 for White).
- Queenside Counterplay Black’s bishop on a5 eyes c3, and …cxd4 followed by …Nc6–b4 can hit the c-pawn and the weakened light squares.
- Kingside Initiative White frequently launches an attack with Qg4, Bd3, and long castling, echoing “Poisoned-Pawn” motifs from the main Winawer.
Typical Plans
- For White
- Castle long (0-0-0) and advance pawns on the kingside: g4–h4–h5 or f4–f5.
- Break the center with c4 if Black delays …cxd4.
- Use the semi-open g-file after Qg4 to probe g7.
- For Black
- Strike back with …cxd4 and/or …f6 to undermine e5.
- Use the knight manoeuvre …Ne7-c6-b4 to harass c2/c3.
- Sometimes castle queenside to meet White’s kingside storm with a pawn push of his own: …h5 or …g5.
Historical Background
The Winawer (3…Bb4) was popularized in the late 19th century by Polish master Szymon Winawer, but the specific 5…Ba5 retreat became fashionable in the 1960s and 70s as players sought alternatives to the heavily analyzed 5…Bxc3+. Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky both used the line in their 1966 World-Championship match preparations. In modern play, grandmasters such as Alexander Morozevich, Vassily Ivanchuk, and Dmitry Andreikin have revived it as a fighting weapon.
Illustrative Game
The following miniature highlights typical ideas for both sides:
[[Pgn| e4|e6|d4|d5|Nc3|Bb4|e5|c5|a3|Ba5|Qg4|Ne7|dxc5|Nbc6|Nf3|Qc7| Bd2|Bd7|Nb5|Bxd2+|Kxd2|Qxe5|Nd6+|Kf8|c3|f5|Qh5|Ng6|Re1|Qf4+|Kc2|Ncxe5| Nxe5|Nxe5|g3|Qa4+|Kb1|Qe4+|Rxe4|dxe4| fen||arrows|g4g7, e5e4|squares|e5,g7]]While far from perfect play, the game showcases the early queen sortie (Qg4), the thematic Black break …f6 (here as …f5), and the tactical richness that often erupts around the locked center.
Interesting Facts
- The move 5…Ba5 keeps the dark-squared bishop, which can later swing to c7 or even b6 after …c4, a maneuver fondly called the “Winawer waltz” by club players.
- Because the bishop retreats, Black sometimes castles queenside, leading to opposite-side attacks where both players hurl pawns toward the enemy king with equal ferocity.
- Engines evaluate the line as roughly equal, but practical results often favor the better prepared side, making it a popular surprise weapon in rapid and blitz— shows its usage spiking online in recent years.
When to Choose It
Select the Advance Retreat Variation if you:
- Enjoy complex, unbalanced middlegames with both positional and tactical motifs.
- Prefer to keep the bishop pair as Black rather than surrender the French “bad bishop.”
- Are ready to memorize concrete theory up to move 15 but want to avoid the labyrinth of the Poisoned-Pawn main line.
Summary
The French Defense Winawer Advance Retreat Variation marries the strategic depth of the French with the dynamic tension of opposite-side castling battles. By retreating the bishop to a5, Black keeps more pieces on the board and invites a fight rich in pawn-break ideas, making it a perennial favorite of players who relish sharp yet strategically grounded play.