French Defense: 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Nf6 (Chigorin)
French Defense: 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Nf6 (Chigorin Variation)
Definition
The move-sequence
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Nf6
is a branch of the French Defense known as the Chigorin Variation.
By meeting 3.Nc3 with the symmetrical 3…Nc6 instead of the customary 3…Nf6 or 3…Bb4
(Winawer), Black develops quickly and keeps the light-squared bishop uncommitted.
After 4.Nf3 Nf6 both sides have developed two knights and staked central
ground, giving the position a “Four Knights” flavour inside the French structure.
How it is Used in Play
The Chigorin Variation is employed by players who
- Prefer flexible, piece-play positions to the strategic pawn-chains of the Winawer or Classical lines.
- Want to avoid the massive theory of 3…Bb4 or 3…Nf6 without giving up the French structure entirely.
- Appreciate rapid development and the possibility of early …dxe4, …Bb4 and …e5 breaks.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension. Neither side is rushed into resolving the pawn tension on d4–d5. Plans revolve around if and when to push e4-e5 or …f7-f6.
- Piece Activity. With both “French” bishops still at home, pieces dictate the early fight. The dark-squared bishop often emerges to b4, g7 (after …g6), or even e7 depending on circumstances.
- Flexible Pawn Breaks. Black can prepare …dxe4 or …e5, while White looks at e4-e5 or the thematic f2-f4 thrust.
- Transpositional Potential. Depending on White’s 5th move, the game may transpose into a Classical French, a Rubinstein structure, or even certain lines of the Petroff or Scotch Four Knights.
Common Continuations
- 5.e5 Ne4 6.Bd3 Bb4 – leads to rich manoeuvring battles where both sides fight for the d4- and f5-squares.
- 5.Bg5 – pins the f6-knight; Black can reply 5…Be7 or the sharper 5…h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6.
- 5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5 – reminiscent of a Scotch Four Knights where the c6-knight may feel loose.
- Side-steps such as 5.Bd3, 5.a3 (stopping …Bb4) or 5.e5 Nd7 seek to sideline Black’s preparation.
Historical & Practical Significance
Named after the great Russian master Mikhail Chigorin, who used 3…Nc6 as an occasional surprise against Wilhelm Steinitz in their 1892 World Championship match. Although never a mainstream line at elite level, the variation shows up in rapid & blitz, and was revived in the 2000s by creative grandmasters like Morozevich and Svidler who value piece activity over the French’s traditional pawn-chain dogma.
Illustrative Example
The following rapid-game fragment highlights typical ideas:
• White gains space with 5.e5, but Black immediately strikes at the centre with …Ne4 and
targets c3 and d4.
• After the thematic …Bb4 and capture on c3, Black saddles White with doubled c-pawns,
echoing classic Winawer ideas, yet without having committed his c8-bishop early.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because both sides mirror each other for the first four moves, club players often nickname it “The French Four Knights,” though that label is not official.
- In Kasparov’s training games as a teenager, he tried the line with Black to escape his coach Nikitin’s deep Winawer preparation—only to be met by 5.Bg5!, after which he reputedly switched openings mid-session.
- Modern engines show a near-equal evaluation (≈0.20) for the starting position after 4…Nf6, supporting its soundness despite its rarity in grand-master praxis.
Typical Pitfalls
- White: Playing 5.e5? too hastily can leave the d4-pawn weak if not supported by c2-c3 or f2-f4.
- Black: Grabbing the e4-pawn (…Nxe4) without adequate calculation may run into tactics involving Qe2 or Bb5+, pinning the knight.
Summary
The sequence 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Nf6 offers a harmonious, less-theoretical route for French Defense players. It provides:
- Rapid development and central counter-play.
- Opportunities for creative manoeuvring.
- Plenty of unexplored territory compared with mainstream French lines—an attractive choice for players seeking to steer opponents out of heavy preparation.