French Defense: Advance Variation, Nimzowitsch System

French Defense: Advance Variation

Definition

The Advance Variation of the French Defense arises after the moves
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5.
With 3.e5 White pushes the e-pawn one square farther, gaining space in the center and immediately fixing the tension between the e- and d-pawns. The position is characterized by a locked pawn chain (e5–d4 versus e6–d5) that shapes the strategic plans for both sides.

Typical Move Orders

• Main line: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6.
• Alternative 3…c5 4.c3 Qb6 (a direct attack on d4).
• Positional tries such as 3…b6 or 3…Bd7, aiming for …c5 under more favorable circumstances.

Strategic Themes

• White’s goals
  • Keep the space advantage and restrict Black’s pieces.
  • Support the pawn chain with c3 and f4, then look for breaks with c4 or f5.
  • Execute a kingside attack, often starting with moves like Bd3, Ne2, O-O-O, h4-h5.
• Black’s goals
  • Undermine the base of the chain at d4 with …c5 and sometimes …f6.
  • Target the pawn on d4 with queen pressure (…Qb6) or piece pressure (…Nc6, …Qb6, …Ne7-f5).
  • Exchange the bad light-squared bishop via …b6, …Ba6 or …Bd7-e8-g6.

Historical & Practical Significance

The Advance Variation has swung in and out of fashion, often driven by computer evaluations and top-level novelties. Aron Nimzowitsch was an early champion, and later grandmasters such as Viktor Korchnoi, Anatoly Karpov, and more recently Teimour Radjabov and Alireza Firouzja have employed it with both colors. Its strategic clarity makes it a favorite teaching line for coaches who want students to understand pawn chains and flank undermining.

Illustrative Game

Victor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov, World Championship (Baguio) 1978, Game 6.
Karpov’s precise undermining with …c5 and …f6 demonstrated the long-term viability of Black’s counterplay.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• In the 1930s, the Advance was sometimes derided as “too simple” because Black’s plan of …c5 looked so direct; modern engines, however, often give White a small edge.
• The pawn chain structure (white pawns on e5-d4-c3 vs. black pawns on e6-d5-c5) is a textbook example in many strategy manuals, illustrating space versus breaks.
• Both Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen have tried the Advance in online rapid events, showing its continued relevance.

Nimzowitsch System (French Advance)

Definition

The Nimzowitsch System is a specific sub-variation of the French Advance. The classical move order is
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6.
By bringing the queen to b6 at the first opportunity, Black immediately attacks the pawn on d4 and increases pressure on the light squares.

Why It’s Called “Nimzowitsch”

Aron Nimzowitsch, one of the founders of hypermodern chess, advocated early-queen development to provoke weaknesses and seize control of key squares. He introduced …Qb6 in the French years before it became mainstream, hence the line bears his name.

Core Ideas

• Black
  1. Undermine d4 with dual hits from the queen and the c5-pawn.
  2. Keep flexible options for the light-squared bishop: …Bd7, …Bd7-b5+, or …Ba6.
  3. Delay kingside development until the center clarifies, sometimes castling queenside.
• White
  1. Protect d4 (often with 6.a3, 6.Be2, or 6.Bd3) without creating new weaknesses.
  2. Maintain the space edge and set up a later c4 break.
  3. Exploit the queen’s early exposure with moves like 7.dxc5! Bxc5 8.Qe2 or 7.a3 c4 8.Nbd2.

Main Branches after 6.a3

• 6.a3 Nh6 7.b4 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf5 – a line where Black re-routes the knight to f5 to pressure d4 and h4.
• 6.a3 c4 7.Nbd2 Na5 – Black grabs space on the queenside, echoing French Winawer structures.

Model Game

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – Magnus Carlsen, Tata Steel 2022.
Carlsen used the Nimzowitsch System to neutralize White’s initiative, later winning a long endgame.

Practical Tips

• If you play the Nimzowitsch System as Black, memorize the typical tricks on d4: tactical hits on d4 often decide games quickly.
• White players should remember that 6.dxc5! can be a strong antidote if Black is careless; after 6…Bxc5 7.Qe2 Black must solve immediate problems with the e- and c-files.
• Because the queen comes out early, endgame transitions often favor Black: the queen is already well-placed and can quickly switch wings.

Trivia

• The line has a reputation among French specialists as “the quickest way to test the opponent’s homework.” One misstep can lead to a lost pawn for White or a wrecked queenside for Black.
• Engines initially disliked 5…Qb6 in early versions (pre-2010) but now evaluate it as one of Black’s best scoring choices.