French: Steinitz, Boleslavsky, 7...a6
French: Steinitz
Definition
The Steinitz Variation of the French Defense arises after the moves
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5.
White immediately pushes the e-pawn to e5, gaining space and forcing the black knight to retreat. The same idea with the knight on d2 (3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5) is called the Steinitz–Tarrasch, but both are usually lumped together under the general name “French: Steinitz.”
Strategic Ideas
- Space advantage: The pawn on e5 cramps Black’s kingside pieces and fixes the central pawn structure.
- Locked center: Because the pawns on e5 and d5 are fixed, play often revolves around flank breaks: Black strives for …c5 and …f6, while White eyes the c- and f-files or a kingside pawn storm with f4–f5.
- Piece maneuvering: Knights are frequently rerouted (Nb1–d2–f1–g3 for White; Nf6–d7–b6 for Black) to find useful outposts.
- Steinitz’s heritage: Wilhelm Steinitz used the early e5 push to demonstrate that a space advantage could suffocate the opponent if maintained correctly—an early example of “accumulating small advantages.”
Typical Move Orders
After 4…Nfd7 the main branching point is:
- 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 – classical main line.
- 5. Qg4 – the bold Shirov–Alekhine line, immediately attacking g7.
- 5. Nce2 – the modern “Short Variation,” keeping the kingside flexible.
Illustrative Mini-PGN
Historical & Anecdotal Notes
- Steinitz employed the idea as early as 1873, but it gained modern traction through the games of Akiba Rubinstein and, later, Anatoly Karpov—who famously defeated Viktor Korchnoi in the 1978 World Championship match with the line.
- Bobby Fischer tried the variation from the Black side against Pal Benko (U.S. Ch., 1963), equalising effortlessly and showing its resilience.
Boleslavsky
Definition
“Boleslavsky” most commonly refers to the Boleslavsky Variation of the Classical Sicilian:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be2 e5.
Named after the brilliant Soviet theoretician GM Isaac Boleslavsky (1919–1977), it is characterised by Black’s advance …e5, which kicks the knight from d4 but leaves a backward d6-pawn and a permanent “Boleslavsky hole” on d5.
Strategic Themes
- The d5 outpost: White aims to occupy d5 with a knight; Black must prove that dynamic play compensates for the weak square.
- Pawn breaks: Black pressures the queenside with …b5–b4 or prepares …d5 to liberate the position. White, in turn, can try f4 or g4 for kingside expansion.
- Flexible piece play: Bishops often land on c4 and g5 for White; Black’s light-squared bishop may be fianchettoed with …g6 or rerouted via e7–f8.
Why Choose the Boleslavsky?
- It avoids the razor-sharp Najdorf theory (5…a6) yet retains unbalanced Sicilian play.
- Modern engines confirm its soundness despite the structural concession on d5.
- It often transposes: after 7. Nb3 Be6 8. O-O (or 8. f4) both sides can still steer into Scheveningen or Rauzer-type positions.
Classic Example
Kasparov – Short, Linares 1993, featured the Boleslavsky. Kasparov sacrificed a pawn for long-term pressure on d5 and won a model attacking game—required viewing for aspiring Sicilian players.
Fun Fact
The “Boleslavsky Wall” (pawns on d6 and e5) is also a recurring structure in the King’s Indian Defense—proof of Boleslavsky’s deep influence on central-pawn theory.
7...a6
Definition
In modern opening jargon, “7…a6” usually pinpoints the key move of the Sveshnikov (a.k.a. Chelyabinsk) Variation of the Sicilian:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 a6.
Purpose of the Move
- Chasing the knight: 7…a6 forces the b5-knight either back to a3 or into the provocative 8. Nxf6+ gxf6 sacrifice lines.
- Queenside expansion: The pawn will often advance to a5, supporting …b5 and counterplay on the b-file.
- Creating imbalance: By weakening the b6 and d6 squares, Black accepts structural risk for piece activity—fully in the spirit of the Sveshnikov.
Main Continuations After 7…a6
- 8. Nxf6+ gxf6 – the “main-main” line; Black doubles f-pawns but seizes the bishop pair and central control.
- 8. Na3 b5 9. c3 – more positional; White keeps pieces on the board and eyes the d5 outpost.
Historical Significance
The move was popularised in the 1970s by the Chelyabinsk school of Soviet analysts—Evgeny Sveshnikov, Gennady Timoshchenko, and others—who demonstrated that Black’s activity outweighed his structural weaknesses. 7…a6 has since become one of the most theoretically tested half-moves in all of opening theory.
Memorable Games
- Kramnik – Leko, Brissago 2004 (WCh, Game 4): A tense draw where 7…a6 led to a deep strategic battle illustrating both sides’ resources.
- Carlsen – Karjakin, WCh tiebreak 2016: Karjakin’s accurate 7…a6 soaked up pressure and helped him hold a must-draw rapid game.
Trivia
Evgeny Sveshnikov gave the move 7…a6 three exclamation marks in his original notes, calling it “the keystone of the entire system.” Decades later, engines still agree that without 7…a6 the Sveshnikov simply doesn’t work.