French Defense: La Bourdonnais Variation

French Defense: La Bourdonnais Variation

Definition

The La Bourdonnais Variation is an off-beat line of the French Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3. Instead of the usual 3.Nc3 or 3.Nd2, White develops the queen’s-bishop to d3, where it exerts pressure on the h7–c2 diagonal and supports an eventual e4–e5 advance.

Typical Move Order

• 1. e4 e6
• 2. d4 d5
• 3. Bd3
  – If Black replies 3…dxe4 4.Bxe4, the game often continues 4…Nf6 5.Bf3 c5 6.Ne2 when White aims for a flexible set-up.
  – After 3…c5, a common response is 4.Nf3, steering play into structures resembling the Advance French or even the King’s Indian Attack.

Strategic Ideas

• Central Tension: 3.Bd3 avoids an immediate commitment of the c-knight, keeping options open for Nc3, Ne2, or even c2–c3.
• e4–e5 Break: The bishop on d3 supports a quick pawn thrust that can cramp Black’s position if not handled accurately.
• Piece Play over Theory: Because theory is relatively scarce, the line appeals to players who prefer improvisation and middlegame understanding to heavy memorisation.
• Potential Transpositions: Depending on Black’s reply, play can transpose to the Exchange French (after 3…dxe4 4.Bxe4 Nf6 5.Nf3) or to various Advance-French structures (after 3…c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.exd5).

Historical Background

The variation is named after Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais (1795–1840), the French master widely regarded as the strongest player of the early 19th century. In his famous 1834 match against the Irish champion Alexander McDonnell in London, La Bourdonnais used the line with notable success, making it one of the earliest experimental systems against what would later be called the French Defense.

Illustrative Example

The following miniature shows how quickly White can generate attacking chances:

Position after 26.Ne5: White’s bishops and central pawns dominate the board, while Black’s knights struggle for squares.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• “Romantic French.” Because it dates from the pre-Steinitz era of attacking play, some historians jokingly call 3.Bd3 the “Romantic French.”
• Grandmaster Bent Larsen occasionally employed the line in simultaneous exhibitions, stating that it “puts the onus back on Black to prove equality.”
• Although rare in classical events, the variation enjoys a small but loyal following in rapid and blitz because it can quickly steer the game away from mainstream French theory.
• Modern databases show that club players score slightly above average with 3.Bd3, largely thanks to the surprise value.

When to Use It

Choose the La Bourdonnais Variation if you:

1. Prefer active piece play over long theoretical debates.
2. Enjoy setting early psychological challenges for your opponent.
3. Are comfortable navigating unbalanced pawn structures that can arise after central exchanges.

Practical Tips

• After 3…dxe4 4.Bxe4 Nf6, the bishop usually retreats to f3 or d3; avoid 5.Bd3? which only loses a tempo.
• Keep an eye on the c2-pawn; in queenless middlegames Black may target it with …Nc6-b4-d3.
• If Black locks the center with …c5 and …c4, consider a timely b2–b3 break to undermine the pawn chain.