French Defense: Advance Variation & Steinitz Variation
French Defense: Advance Variation
Definition
The Advance Variation of the French Defense arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5. Instead of exchanging on d5 or defending the e-pawn with 3.Nc3 or 3.Nd2, White pushes the pawn to e5, immediately closing the center and gaining space on the kingside. The tabiya (starting position of the variation) is reached after only three moves, making it one of the most direct tests of the French Defense.
How It Is Used in Play
- White’s Plans
- Support the pawn chain with c2–c3 and sometimes f2–f4.
- Prepare a kingside attack with moves such as Bd3, Qg4, Nf3–g5, and h2–h4.
- Maintain the e5 outpost to restrict Black’s piece mobility—especially the light-squared bishop on c8.
- Black’s Plans
- Undermine the base of White’s pawn chain with …c7–c5 (most common) or …f7–f6.
- Attack the d4 square with moves like …Nc6, …Qb6, and …Bd7.
- Exchange the light-squared bishop via …b6 and …Ba6 to weaken White’s dark squares.
Strategic Significance
The closed center created by 3.e5 leads to strategic battles rather than immediate tactical skirmishes. Typical themes include:
- Space vs. Counterplay: White’s extra space on the kingside allows piece maneuvering for an attack, while Black’s counterplay focuses on the queenside and the d4 pawn.
- Bad French Bishop: Black’s c8-bishop can be imprisoned; timely breaks with …c5 or …f6 are essential to free it.
- Pawn Chains & Color Complexes: Pawn structure dictates long-term plans; each side attacks the base of the opponent’s chain.
Historical Notes
The Advance Variation was championed by Aron Nimzowitsch in the early 20th century as a practical illustration of his theories on space and blockade. It later became a favorite of players such as Mikhail Tal, Viktor Korchnoi, and Hikaru Nakamura. Notably, Korchnoi used it in his 1974 Candidates Final versus Karpov, scoring crucial wins.
Illustrative Example
One of the most cited model games is:
(Tal – Kholmov, Soviet Championship 1957) where White’s kingside pressure outweighed Black’s material gains.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The line earned the nickname “Bayonet Variation” among some Soviet trainers because the pawn on e5 is “fixed like a bayonet” in Black’s position.
- Engines once thought the Advance gave White only a slight edge, but recent neural-network evaluations often show White pressing for more, leading to renewed interest at elite level (e.g., Nepomniachtchi vs. Caruana, Candidates 2020).
- In online blitz, the Advance Variation is a favorite surprise weapon because Black French specialists tend to prepare heavily for 3.Nc3 and 3.Nd2 instead.
Steinitz Variation (Ruy Lopez)
Definition
The Steinitz Variation in the Ruy Lopez begins with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6. Named after the first official World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz, the move 3…d6 supports the e5-pawn and prepares …Nf6 without fearing 4.Nxe5. Unlike the modern Berlin or Marshall, it aims for a solid, sometimes slightly passive, defensive setup.
Strategic Ideas
- Black’s Concept
- Maintain a strong center with pawns on e5 & d6.
- Develop pieces harmoniously: …Bd7, …g6, …Bg7, and castle kingside.
- Avoid structural weaknesses and aim for a flexible pawn break later (…f5 or …d5).
- White’s Concept
- Exploit the slightly cramped Black setup by rapid development: 4.d4, 4.c3 followed by d4, or 4.Bxc6+ followed by d4.
- Occupy the center and look for space-gaining moves like d4 and c4 to cramp Black further.
- Create kingside attacking chances if Black delays castling.
Historical & Theoretical Significance
Steinitz employed this line famously in his 1892 title defense against Mikhail Chigorin, advocating the idea that a sound defensive position—though passive—could be a path to victory through counterpunching. While theory eventually judged 3…d6 to concede too much space, it resurfaced in the 1970s and 80s as a practical weapon used by Vassily Smyslov, Ulf Andersson, and Vladimir Kramnik (early in his career).
Main Lines & Typical Continuations
- 4.d4 Bd7 5.Nc3 Nf6 An open fight for the center; White often castles queenside.
- 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.d4 White gives up the bishop pair to damage Black’s structure.
- 4.c3 Bd7 5.d4 Nf6 6.Nbd2 A slower buildup resembling a Philidor Defense with colors reversed.
Illustrative Game
(Kramnik – Andersson, Munich 1994) showcases how White tries to exploit the semi-passive setup, while Black relies on solidity and counterplay.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because of its resemblance to the Philidor Defense, some modern authors refer to the line as “Ruy Lopez Philidor Hybrid.”
- Steinitz argued that “The king is a fighting piece”; in several games he delayed castling in this variation to prove his defensive theories, often marching the king to f7 or g7 by hand!
- Despite modest popularity at elite level today, it is a common choice in correspondence and engine freestyle events, where precise play can neutralize White’s spatial edge.