5.Nxe4 Nbd7 in the Burn Variation
French Defence: Burn Variation
Definition
The Burn Variation is a branch of the French Defence that arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4. By capturing on e4 at once, Black sidesteps the main-line pin positions and steers play into a more classical pawn structure. The system is named after the English master Amos Burn (1848-1925), who championed it at the end of the 19th century.
Typical Move Order
After 4…dxe4, the standard continuation is
- 5. Nxe4 Be7 (“classical” Burn) or 5…Nbd7 (alternative line – see next entry).
- 6. Bxf6 gxf6 or 6. Nxf6+ gxf6, leading to a semi-open position with opposite-wing pawn majorities.
Strategic Ideas
- Simplification & Safety – By exchanging on e4 Black eliminates the spear-head of White’s centre and immediately resolves the tension in the pin on Nf6.
- Flexible Development – Black normally puts the king’s bishop on e7, supports …c5 to hit d4, and keeps the option of …b6/…Bb7 in reserve.
- Pawn Structure – After the frequent exchange on f6 Black accepts doubled f-pawns in return for the two bishops and a sturdy central chain (e6–d5 vs e4–d4).
- End-Game Friendly – Many Burn positions simplify quickly; players who enjoy manoeuvring or technical endings often favour it.
Historical Significance
Amos Burn used the variation successfully against contemporaries such as Joseph Blackburne and Isidor Gunsberg. Later it appeared in the repertoires of José Raúl Capablanca and Vasily Smyslov when they wanted a solid but unambitious reply to 4.Bg5.
Illustrative Game
Burn vs. Gunsberg, London 1886 – an early model game in which Burn defended accurately and eventually won a long rook ending.
Interesting Facts
- Because the pawn on f6 may later advance to f5, the Burn has occasionally been used as a surprise weapon by sharp attackers such as Alexei Shirov.
- In correspondence and engine play the line remains popular; modern engines assess the positions as roughly equal but highly playable for both sides.
5.Nxe4 Nbd7 (in the Burn Variation)
Definition
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4, the move 5…Nbd7 is an alternative to the classical 5…Be7. Instead of immediately unpinning the knight, Black reinforces the f6-knight and prepares the thematic break …c5.
Strategic Purpose
- Support for …c5 – The knight on d7 backs up …c5, hitting the white centre and freeing the c8-bishop.
- Flexible Bishop Placement – Because the bishop has not yet committed to e7, it can occasionally develop to b4, d6 or even g7 after …g6.
- Invitation to Simplify – White often plays 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Nf3, leading to symmetrical piece play where Black’s structure is sound.
Main Continuations
- 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bxf6 Nxf6 8. Bd3 (quiet line where Black later strikes with …c5).
- 6. Qe2 h6 7. Bh4 Be7 8. O-O-O, a sharper setup where opposite-side castling is possible.
Model Game
Ulf Andersson – Ivan Sokolov, Wijk aan Zee 1997 Andersson employed 6.Nf3 and calmly neutralised Black’s middlegame pressure, eventually winning a technical rook ending.
Interesting Nuggets
- The idea of 5…Nbd7 was revitalised in the 1980s by the French theoretician Lev Psakhis, who showed that Black need not fear the doubling of f-pawns after 6.Bxf6.
- Because both sides often castle kingside, many games in this line end in an early end-game where the better minor-piece placement proves decisive.
- Engines rate 5…Nbd7 as slightly more dynamic than 5…Be7, but human grandmasters often choose between them based on stylistic preference.