French Winawer, Smyslov, 7...Qa5

French: Winawer

Definition & Typical Move-order

The Winawer Variation is one of the sharpest branches of the French Defence. It arises after the moves:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4

How the Variation Is Used

• Imbalance by design: Black immediately pins the knight on c3 and prepares to strike at the center with …c5, willingly accepting structural weaknesses (usually doubled c-pawns for White) in exchange for dynamic counterplay.
• Main continuations:
  1. 4.e5 c5 – the Classical, most double-edged path.
  2. 4.exd5 exd5 5.Nf3 – a quieter “Exchange-Winawer.”
  3. 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 – the sharp “Poisoned-Pawn” set-up, often followed by 6.Qg4.

Strategic Themes

• Good bishop vs. bad bishop: Black trades off the normally “bad” French light-squared bishop, leaving White’s dark-squared bishop biting on c3 – e5 – g1.
• Doubled c-pawns: The structural concession can become weak or strong; the pawns give White a half-open b-file and central space but are permanent targets.
• Counterplay on the dark squares: Black often places pieces on e4, c4 or h4 and uses the …f6 break to undermine White’s pawn chain.

Historical Significance

Named after Polish master Szymon Winawer (1838-1919), who employed the line in the late 19th century. The variation became a favorite weapon of many French-Defence specialists, notably Uhlmann, Korchnoi, Short, and in modern times Carlsen and Nepo (Nepomniachtchi).

Illustrative Game

Robert Fischer – Wolfgang Uhlmann, Buenos Aires (ol) 1960

Interesting Facts

• During the 1978 Karpov–Korchnoi World Championship match the Winawer featured heavily, prompting a flood of theoretical articles and creating the nickname “World War W”.
• Though classified under “French Defence” in ECO (C15–C19), Soviet periodicals often treated the Winawer as an opening family in its own right because of its complexity.

Smyslov (Winawer – Smyslov Variation)

Definition

The Smyslov Variation is a sideline within the Winawer that begins 4.e5 c5 5.Bd2. Instead of forcing doubled pawns with 5.a3 or transposing to the “Advance” themes, White develops the queen’s bishop to d2, controlling the a5-e1 diagonal and preparing potentially to break with Nb5 or Qg4 later.

Strategic & Practical Aims

• Flexibility: By delaying a3, White keeps options open. Black cannot be sure whether the bishop will capture on c3, retreat, or maintain tension.
• Rapid development: After 5…Ne7 6.Nb5 O-O (or 6…Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2), White’s pieces often reach good squares without the structural damage of doubled c-pawns.
• Prophylaxis: Bd2 indirectly discourages …cxd4 followed by …Qb6 because the queen’s approach can be parried by Bc3.

Historical Context

World Champion Vasily Smyslov (1921-2010) popularized 5.Bd2 in the 1940s–50s, scoring several smooth positional wins. While not as theoretically critical as the Poisoned-Pawn line, the system fits Smyslov’s style—harmonious piece placement and subtle prophylaxis—so perfectly that his name became attached to the move.

Model Game

Smyslov – Keres, USSR Championship 1949

Interesting Tidbits

• Modern engines rate 5.Bd2 as entirely playable. At long search depths it often equalizes, making it a useful surprise weapon for grandmasters who wish to avoid the poisonous 6.Qg4 theory.
• Soviet theoreticians once nicknamed the setup “the refrigerator” because it allowed White to “keep the position fresh” while Black had to decide on an early structural commitment.
• The same Smyslov move (Bd2 or Qb3 ideas) appears in other openings—e.g., the Smyslov Variation of the Grünfeld (4.Qb3)—illustrating Vasily’s preference for flexible prophylaxis across disparate systems.

7…Qa5 (Winawer Poisoned-Pawn)

Where It Occurs

The move 7…Qa5 belongs to the ferocious Poisoned-Pawn line of the Winawer. The full move-order is:

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Qa5

Purpose of …Qa5

• Immediate counter-attack: Black hits the pawn on c3 and prepares …Qc3+ tactics if allowed.
• Sidestepping preparation: 7…Qa5 avoids the heavily analyzed 7…Qc7, steering play into less trodden but equally sharp channels.
• Long-term pressure: The queen often lingers on a5 or returns to c7 after provoking weaknesses; meanwhile Black continues …b6, …Ba6 or …cxd4 ideas.

Typical Continuations

• 8.Bd2 O-O 9.Nf3 b6 – Black bolsters the queen and prepares …Ba6 to neutralize White’s dangerous c4-bishop.
• 8.Qd2 b6 9.Nf3 Nbc6 – a flexible setup where …Ba6 and …cxd4 remain in the air.
• If 8.Qxg7? Qxc3+ picks up the rook on a1 after 9.Ke2 Rg8, illustrating the tactical justification for 7…Qa5.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

Although overshadowed by 7…Qc7, the …Qa5 line has held its own in top-level practice. French connoisseur Wolfgang Uhlmann scored several spectacular victories with it in the 1960s–70s. In the computer era the variation has seen a revival because engines confirm its soundness and the relative novelty helps sidestep dense theoretical trees.

Example Miniature

Uhlmann – Browne, San Antonio 1972

Interesting Facts

• The seemingly loose queen sortie was once considered dubious; modern analysis shows that Black’s tactical resources are sufficient, especially with accurate …b6 and …Ba6 follow-ups.
• Because White often castles queenside, Black’s queen on a5 can later swing to c3, b2, or even a1 in the endgame, making it one of the rare openings where the same piece attacks the opponent’s initial corner.
• Some French specialists label 7…Qa5 “the low-theory poisoned pawn” because it trades depth of preparation for precise move-by-move calculation—appealing to practical players who thrive in tactical chaos.