French Defense: Advance Variation, Wade 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. By immediately pushing the e-pawn two squares, White locks the center and gains space on the kingside. Black, in turn, accepts a somewhat cramped position in the short term in exchange for long-term pressure against the d4–pawn and chances to undermine the white pawn chain with …c5 and …f6.
Typical Move-Order & Branches
After 3.e5, Black’s two most popular plans are:
- 3…c5 – The classical counterattack in the center (ECO codes C02–C03). Common continuations include 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 and the alternative 4…Qb6 pressing d4 immediately.
- 3…c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 – The Milner-Barry line, often transposing to the Wade Variation if White later plays 6.a3.
Strategic Themes
- Fixed Center. With pawns on e5 and d4 vs. e6 and d5, the structure is locked. Play shifts to pawn breaks (…c5, …f6 for Black; c4, f4–f5, or g4 for White).
- Piece Placement.
- White usually develops Nc3, Bd3 (or Be2), Nf3, 0-0 and maneuvers for f-pawn thrusts.
- Black’s light-squared bishop is often routed via d7–b5 or a6 to target d4.
- Minority Attack Ideas. If the queens stay on, both sides can launch wing attacks: White on the kingside (h4-h5, g4-g5) and Black on the queenside (…a6, …b5, …b4).
Historical & Theoretical Significance
Although championed as early as the 19th century by players like Paul Morphy, the Advance Variation received serious theoretical attention only in the 20th century. Viktor Korchnoi, Bent Larsen, and later Alexander Grischuk and Teimour Radjabov have all contributed innovations for both colors. Computer engines have also re-evaluated many once-suspect lines (e.g., 4…Qb6) showing them to be fully playable.
Illustrative Game
Gran Wang – Stockfish (analysis), 2021. Both sides demonstrated modern understanding: Black’s knight reroute …Nh6-f5 hits d4; White’s 0-0, Re1, Nc3 supports the future c4 break.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- World Champion Alexander Alekhine refused to allow the Advance against him, claiming it “denies Black active play.” Modern theory disagrees—engines now show equality in many main lines.
- Viktor Korchnoi’s love for the variation was so strong that he once played 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 against Bobby Fischer in a simultaneous exhibition just to test one of his novelties, 6.a3!?
Wade Variation (in the French Advance)
Definition
The Wade Variation is a sub-line of the French Defense: Advance Variation, named after New Zealand-born British Grandmaster Robert Gwaze (commonly known as Bob Wade). It appears after the moves:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3.
White’s 6.a3 prevents …Bb4+ and prepares a later b2-b4 advance, aiming to cramp Black’s queenside and gain space for a minority attack.
How It Works Over the Board
- 6…cxd4 7.cxd4. Black exchanges in the center to fix the pawn on d4, hoping to undermine it later with …Nge7 and …Nf5.
- 6…Nh6 (or 6…Bd7). Both moves keep options flexible; …Nh6 aims for …Nf5, while …Bd7 develops and still eyes the a4-e8 diagonal.
- White typically follows with b4, Be2, 0-0, and if the moment is right, c4 to seize more space.
Strategic & Tactical Ideas
- Space Grab on the Queenside. The a3-b4 scheme restricts Black’s pieces. If Black is careless, the pawn can even advance to b5 chasing the c6-knight.
- Delayed Kingside Attack. Once White’s queenside is secure, standard Advance motifs (f4-f5, g4-g5) can still appear.
- Black’s Counterplay. Central pressure (…f6, …fxe5) or piece activity against d4/d5 remains Black’s primary plan. The Wade often transposes to positions resembling the main Advance lines but with the useful inclusion of a3 for White.
Model Game
Robert Wade himself employed the system with success against elite opposition. One celebrated example:
Wade – Gligorić, Havana Olympiad 1966. The game highlights the space-winning a3-b4-b5 plan and shows how pressure on the b- and d-files can keep Black permanently on the defensive.
Historical Background
GM Bob Wade (1921-2008) was a tireless opening researcher who loved off-beat positional ideas that avoided heavy theory. His decision to combine 5.Nf3 Qb6 with 6.a3 gave White a fresh plan at a time when the Advance was considered passive. Modern engines confirm the line’s soundness, and contemporary grandmasters such as Vassily Ivanchuk and Anish Giri have adopted it occasionally to dodge computer-heavy preparation.
Interesting Tidbits
- The move 6.a3 was once called “the coffeehouse move” because it looked slow; Wade proved it had deep positional bite, especially in over-the-board play where Black must find precise replies.
- Because 6.a3 is flexible, some databases record it under multiple ECO codes (C02 or C02a). That sometimes causes confusion for students searching for the line.
- Although associated with the French, Wade also lent his name to the Wade Defense (1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Bg4) against Queen’s Pawn openings, illustrating his penchant for unorthodox yet reliable set-ups.