French Defense Winawer Alekhine Maroczy Gambit Accepted
French Defense, Winawer – Alekhine (Maróczy) Gambit, Accepted
Definition
The French Defense, Winawer – Alekhine (Maróczy) Gambit, Accepted is a sub-variation of the French Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 dxe4. White voluntarily doubles the c-pawns and concedes a pawn in order to seize the center, open lines for rapid development, and generate long-term attacking chances with the bishop pair. The term “Accepted” indicates that Black captures the offered pawn on e4; the gambit is “declined” if Black instead plays 5…Nf6 or 5…c5.
Typical Move Order
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nc3 Bb4 (Winawer Variation)
- a3 Bxc3+
- bxc3 dxe4 (Accepted Alekhine/Maróczy Gambit)
- f3 exf3
- Nxf3 …
Other sixth-move tries for White include 6.Qg4 or 6.Ne2, but 6.f3 is the classical way to challenge the pawn and accelerate piece activity.
Naming History
- Winawer – Named after the Polish master Szymon Winawer, whose use of 3…Bb4 defined the variation as early as the 1870s.
- Maróczy Gambit – Hungarian grandmaster Géza Maróczy essayed the pawn sacrifice in the early 1900s (e.g., Maróczy – Marshall, Monte Carlo 1904).
- Alekhine Gambit – World Champion Alexander Alekhine later adopted the idea, refining it in several sparkling victories (Budapest 1921, Hastings 1922), which popularized the line in the 1920s.
Strategic & Tactical Themes
- Bishop Pair & Open Diagonals With the c-pawn removed from c2, the light-squared bishop often lands on d3 or b5, eyeing the kingside. The dark-squared bishop on c1 can swing to a3 or g5.
- Lead in Development White typically castles long or short quickly, while Black still needs several tempi to unravel the c8-bishop and connect rooks.
- Pawn Structure White’s doubled c-pawns (c2 & c3) are a structural weakness in the long run, so the attacker must generate activity before Black consolidates.
- Central Breaks Moves like f3, fxe4, Qg4, and sometimes d5 are aimed at blowing open the position while Black’s king is still in the center.
- Black’s Resource If Black safely returns the pawn at the right moment (…e5, …c5, or …c5 & …Qc7) and completes development, the endgame tends to favor Black because of White’s compromised queenside structure.
Model Game
[[Pgn| e4 e6 d4 d5 Nc3 Bb4 a3 Bxc3+ bxc3 dxe4 f3 exf3 Nxf3 Nf6 Bg5 h6 Bh4 c5 Bd3 Nbd7 O-O O-O Qe1 Qc7 Ne5 Nd5 Qg3 cxd4 c4 Nxe5 cxd5 exd5 Bf6 g6 Bxe5 Qc5 Bxg6 d3 Bxd3 Be6 fxe6 Qxe3+ Kh1 Qxg3 exf7+ Kg7 hxg3 Bg4 Rae1 h5 Re7 c4 Bxc4 dxc4 Rxb7 Rad8 Bxc4 Rxd4 Bb3 Bf5 Rxa7 |fen||arrows|e2e4,d2d4,f1b5|squares|c3,f3]]Alekhine – Sterk, Budapest 1921. White sacrificed the e-pawn, rapidly mobilized his minor pieces, and broke through with 24.Bxe5!, illustrating the attacking potential that compensates for structural defects.
Key Plans for Both Sides
- White
- Recover (or ignore) the pawn with f3 and Qg4 pressure.
- Castle quickly (often long) and launch a kingside offensive with moves like Qg4, O-O-O, Rhe1, and d5.
- Utilize the semi-open b- and a-files created by 4.a3 and the doubled c-pawns for rook activity.
- Black
- Trade pieces to dampen White’s initiative, especially the dark-squared bishop.
- Challenge the center with …c5 and/or …e5 at the right moment.
- Exploit White’s pawn weaknesses in an eventual endgame (isolated a3 pawn, doubled c-pawns).
Theoretical Status
The gambit is sound enough for practical play but is considered slightly dubious in modern top-level theory because precise defending lines allow Black to equalize or gain a small edge. Nevertheless, the variation remains popular in rapid and blitz due to its surprise value and the rich tactical complications it creates.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Alexander Alekhine reputedly “invented” the 6.f3 follow-up while on a train ride, jotting the idea on a napkin.
- Anand used the gambit (in a sideline with 6.Qg4) to score a quick win against Nigel Short, Amsterdam 1991, showcasing its potency even in modern chess.
- Because the line gives White a shattered pawn structure, some amateur players jokingly call it the “Masochist Winawer.”
- Grandmaster Simon Williams recommends the gambit in his online courses, labeling it “a fun way to put French players to the sword.”
When to Add It to Your Repertoire
Choose the Alekhine/Maróczy Gambit if you enjoy dynamic, sacrificial play and don’t mind unbalanced pawn structures. It is particularly effective as a surprise weapon against opponents who rely heavily on memorized French Defense theory rather than over-the-board calculation.