French Defense: Advance Variation, Nimzowitsch Attack

French Defense: Advance Variation, Nimzowitsch Attack

Definition

The Nimzowitsch Attack is a sub-line of the Advance French that begins 1. e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3 (ECO C02). By developing the king’s knight before committing the c-pawn to c3, White keeps the structure flexible and follows Aron Nimzowitsch’s hyper-modern idea of controlling the center with pieces rather than additional pawns.

Typical Move Order

1. e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3

• 4…Nc6 5.c3 Qb6 6.a3 – most common, leading to rich middlegames.
• 4…Bd7 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.0-0 – slower, solid development.
• 4…cxd4 5.Nxd4 – early clarification of the center.

Strategic Themes

• Flexible Center: With c2-c3 delayed, White may play c2-c4 later to attack d5 or expand on the queenside.
• Piece Activity: The knight on f3 eyes g5 and h4; typical plans include Bd3, h2-h4, and sometimes Ng5 to pressure Black’s kingside.
• Black Counterplay: …Qb6, …cxd4, and the maneuver …Ne7-f5 test the d4- and e5-pawns. Accurate calculation is required for both sides.
• Transpositions: Depending on whether White plays c3 or c4, the game can switch into Classical Advance French territory or resemble the Tarrasch French with an advanced e-pawn.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The following short sample shows typical development for both sides:

After 18…Nf5 Black pressures d4 and prepares …a5. White, meanwhile, may consider Rb1, Be3, or g4 to seize space and initiative.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

• Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935): A leading hyper-modern thinker; his advocacy of 4.Nf3 enriched French-Defense theory.
• Modern Usage: Played by grandmasters such as Alexander Grischuk, Étienne Bacrot, and Baadur Jobava to sidestep heavy 4.c3 theory.
• Evaluation: Engines rate the line roughly equal; it is fully sound but gives both players fresh, less-theoretical positions.

Practical Tips

1. Against 4…Nc6, be ready for …Qb6. The normal antidote is 5.c3, but 5.a3!? and 5.g3!? are playable for sharper play.
2. If Black captures on d4 early, consider dynamic moves like 6.f4 or 6.Bd3 instead of automatic recapture sequences.
3. Keep an eye on kingside chances: Bg5, Ng5, and h4-h5 can appear quickly once Black’s knight reaches e7.

Interesting Facts

• The variation shares ECO code C02 with 4.c3 because the positions often transpose if White later plays c3.
• Nimzowitsch recommended the aggressive h2-h4 push in this line nearly a century before it became fashionable among modern online players.
• Many French-Defense specialists, expecting 4.c3, meet 4.Nf3 only occasionally; this surprise factor is one of the line’s practical assets.