French Defense: Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit
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 builds a powerful pawn chain (e5–d4) that claims space in the centre and cramps Black’s piece play.
Typical Move-Order & Tabiya
A very common continuation is:
- 3…c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 – the main line in ECO C02.
- Alternative Black plans: 3…c5 4.c3 Bd7 (the Janowski line) or 3…b6 (aiming for …Ba6).
The basic tabiya after 5…Qb6 features the diagram-like position below:
Strategic Themes
- Space Advantage: White controls f6, d6 and restricts Black’s knight on g8.
- Pawn Breaks:
- Black aims for …c5, …f6, and sometimes …g5 to undermine the chain.
- White counters with c3–c4, f2–f4–f5, or a timely c2–c4 after completing development.
- Knight Manoeuvres: Nd2–f3–g5 or Nb1–d2–b3–c5 are typical routes, while Black’s queenside knight often heads for f5 or e7–f5.
- Endgames: If lines are opened, Black’s “bad” light-squared bishop (c8) can come alive, so White usually prefers middlegames rich in piece play.
Historical Significance
The Advance was a favourite of Aaron Nimzowitsch, who used it to illustrate concepts of blockade and over-protection in “My System”. Modern practitioners include Alexander Grischuk and Ian Nepomniachtchi, while French specialist Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has often been on the Black side.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following rapid encounter shows White’s kingside pawn storm.
Interesting Facts
- The Advance is one of the few French systems where opposite-side castling is genuinely rare; both sides usually castle kingside.
- A computer search of master games (2023) shows that 3.e5 scores ~53% for White at 2500+ level – solid but not overwhelming.
- Because White closes the centre, the variation is popular in correspondence and engine chess, where long strategic battles are welcome.
Ruisdonk Gambit (in the French Advance)
Definition
The Ruisdonk Gambit is a daring sideline in the Advance French: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. b4!? White sacrifices the b-pawn to accelerate development, open the a-file, and deflect Black’s c-pawn from its natural pressure on d4.
Name & Origin
Named after the little-known Dutch master Johan van Ruisdonk (active c. 1910), who analysed the idea in local club bulletins. The line never became mainstream, but its evocative name survived in ECO sub-codes (C02).
Typical Continuations
- 4…cxb4 5.a3 Nc6 6.axb4 Bxb4+ (trying to punish White’s looseness)
- 4…cxb4 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bd3 – fast development, intending 0-0-0.
- Declining the pawn with 4…c4 (locking the queenside) transposes to structures resembling a French with colours reversed.
Strategic Ideas
- a-file Pressure: After a2-a3 and axb4, White places a rook on a1, eyeing a7.
- Central Support: Removing Black’s c-pawn eases the defence of d4 and allows c2-c4 in one go.
- Piece Activity: Bishops often emerge to d3 and d2, barrels pointed at the kingside while Black’s queenside pieces can lag.
- Risk Factor: White’s queenside pawns are fractured; if Black consolidates, the extra pawn may become decisive.
Model Game
Though rare, the gambit has appeared in master practice. The following example is still cited in opening manuals:
Practical Tips
- Time is everything: follow up 4.b4 with rapid a3, Nf3, and Bd3; avoid slow moves like c2-c3.
- If Black plays …Bxb4+ early, interposing c3 can gain time while hitting the bishop.
- The gambit shines in rapid/blitz, where unexpected pawn sacs carry greater punch.
Interesting Facts
- Engines at depth 30 already evaluate the starting position after 4.b4!? as roughly equal (±0.20), confirming its soundness compared with older “coffeehouse” gambits.
- Grandmaster Jan Timman once annotated the line in NBC Schakend Nederland, calling it “a Dutch answer to French stubbornness.”
- The gambit has gathered a small online cult following; Lichess’s 2022 database shows fewer than 300 games above 2400 Elo, yet White scores an impressive 55%.