French Burn Variation: 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nf3 Be7

French Defence – Burn Variation: 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nf3 Be7

Definition

The sequence 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nf3 Be7 is a specific branch of the French Defence, Classical System, known as the Burn Variation. The line is catalogued in ECO as C11–C12 and is named after the English master Amos Burn (1848-1925), who popularised the early …dxe4 idea at the turn of the 20th century.

Move Order & Piece Placement

After 6…Be7 the position typically features:

• Black knights on f6 and d7, exerting flexible central control.
• White’s dark-squared bishop actively posted on g5, pinning the f6-knight.
• A semi-open e-file (both e-pawns have disappeared) and an open diagonal for Black’s light-squared bishop, which often reaches b7 or a6.
• Symmetrical pawn structure: White pawns on a2,b2,c2,d4,f2,g2,h2 vs. Black pawns on a7,b7,c7,d5,e6,f7,g7,h7.

Strategic Ideas

For Black:

• Solidity: By exchanging the d-pawn for White’s e-pawn, Black avoids the cramped French “bad bishop” problem and gains clean development.
• Classical set-up: …Be7, …O-O, …b6, …Bb7 and either …c5 or …c6–…c5 to hit d4.
• Early simplification: …Nxe4 followed by …Bxf6 can reduce attacking chances for White.

For White:

• Central space: The pawn on d4 gives White a spatial edge.
• Pin and pressure: The bishop on g5 and queen on d2 (or e2) aim for Ne5, doubling on the e-file, or castling long for a kingside attack.
• Minor-piece tension: Keeping the pin can provoke structural concessions after …h6 Bxf6 or tactical shots on d5/f6.

Historical Significance

Amos Burn used the variation with success against strong contemporaries, including a famous win over Emanuel Lasker (Nottingham 1886, simul). The line remained a mainstay of French practitioners such as Viktor Korchnoi, Ulf Andersson and later Alexander Morozevich, prized for its soundness and hidden counter-punching potential.

Typical Plans & Motifs

1. Black breaks with …c5: If White castles short, …c5 strikes immediately at d4, aiming for an IQP or an isolated queen pawn ending.
2. Minor-piece trade: …Nxe4 followed by …Bxf6 can neutralise the g5-bishop and leave Black with the two bishops.
3. White’s kingside attack: With Qd2, 0-0-0, h4–h5 and Bd3, White can generate attacking chances reminiscent of the Winawer Poison-Pawn, but with a healthier pawn structure.

Model Game (PGN viewer placeholder)

Rubinstein’s clean positional win illustrates the strategic themes:

Contemporary Assessment

Modern engines rate the position after 6…Be7 as roughly equal (≈0.20), confirming its reliability. Top-level players such as Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana have adopted the line when they need a resilient defence without entering the heavily-analysed Winawer.

Interesting Facts

• The move 4…dxe4 was initially criticised for “giving up the centre,” but Burn’s results forced theory to reconsider.
• Because both e-pawns vanish so early, endgames reached from the Burn often feature king activity in the centre far sooner than in other French lines.
• When Black delays …Be7 in favour of 6…h6 7.Bh4 g5, the game can transpose into razor-sharp lines of the Shirov or Krasenkow Gambits.

Summary

The Burn Variation with 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nf3 Be7 offers Black a rock-solid alternative to the heavily theoretical Winawer and sharp McCutcheon, while leaving White modest but enduring pressure. Its rich history, balanced strategic content and manageable theory make it a favourite choice from club level to elite tournaments.