French: Steiner (Anglo-French) Variation
French Defence: Steiner (Anglo-French) Variation
Definition
The Steiner (or Anglo-French) Variation of the French Defence arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. b3. Instead of building an immediate centre with 2.d4, White prepares to fianchetto the queen’s bishop to b2, aiming for long-range pressure on the e5-square and flexible development. The line is classified in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings as A40 (because 2.b3 is a flank move that can transpose to several openings).
Move-order at a glance
The most common continuations are:
- 2…d5 3.Bb2 dxe4 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Qe2 (main line)
- 2…d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Bb2 when the structure resembles a reversed French Exchange with colors flipped.
- 2…c5 (a Sicilian-style counter) 3.Nf3 Nc6 or 3.Bb2 Nc6.
Strategic ideas
- White
- Fianchetto the bishop: Bb2 places immediate pressure on e5 and the long diagonal.
- Maintain central flexibility: by delaying d2-d4, White can choose between a later d4, c4, or even f4 depending on Black’s set-up.
- Quick piece play: Knights often develop via g1-f3 and b1-c3, putting pieces on active squares before committing pawns.
- Black
- Strike in the centre: …d5 or …c5 to seize space before the fianchetto becomes influential.
- Challenge the b2-bishop: …Ba3 ideas (after …b6) or simply block the diagonal by placing a knight on d5/e4.
- Transposition tricks: Black can transpose to standard French structures with …d5 and …Nf6, where the bishop on b2 may be less impressive behind a fixed pawn chain.
Historical background
The variation is named after the Hungarian-Australian grandmaster Lajos Steiner (1903-1975), who championed the idea in the 1930s. Because the early flank move 2.b3 resembles English Opening structures, British sources dubbed it the “Anglo-French”.
Although never a mainstream choice at elite level, it has been employed sporadically by creative players such as Bent Larsen, Tony Miles, and contemporary rapid specialists looking for surprise value.
Illustrative miniature
The following short game shows both the danger and potential of the line (Steiner – Eliskases, Vienna 1932):
[[Pgn| 1.e4|e6| 2.b3|d5| 3.Bb2|dxe4| 4.Nc3|Nf6| 5.Qe2|Be7| 6.O-O-O|O-O| 7.g4|h6| 8.h4|e5| 9.g5|hxg5| 10.hxg5|Ng4| 11.Qxe4|Nxf2| 12.Qh7#|]]White exploits the open diagonals and quick kingside pawn storm; Black’s king is caught in a mating net after only 12 moves.
Typical plans and motifs
- Fianchetto pressure: After Bb2, the move Qf3 (or Qe2) supports e4-e5 or d2-d4, piling up on e5 and f7.
- Delayed d2-d4: Waiting to play d4 keeps Black guessing. If Black closes the centre with …d5, White may opt for c2-c4 and Ne2-g3, steering into Catalan-like setups.
- Exchange French transposition: By playing 3.exd5 exd5 White can head for calm equality while preserving the bishop pair.
- Kingside pawn storms: Because the b2-bishop guards e5, White often advances f2-f4 or g2-g4 rapidly once the king has castled long.
Practical usage
The Steiner Variation is most effective as a surprise weapon in rapid or blitz, where its unusual structures take opponents out of booked French theory after only two moves. In classical chess, objective evaluations hover around equality; nevertheless, many French specialists are uncomfortable when the game drifts away from familiar Winawer or Tarrasch territory.
Interesting facts
- In database statistics the move 2.b3 scores slightly above average for White in games under 2400, reflecting its surprise value, but dips at grandmaster level.
- Lajos Steiner used the line to defeat former World Champion Max Euwe in Amsterdam 1934.
- The idea can also be reached by 1.Nf3 d5 2.e4 e6 3.b3 or from the English Opening: 1.c4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.e5?!. Hence the nickname “Anglo-French”.
- Because ECO groups it in A-codes rather than the C-codes (typical for French Defence), some players jokingly call it the “A-typical French”.
Key takeaway
The Steiner (Anglo-French) Variation is a sound but offbeat answer to the French Defence. It emphasises piece activity, diagonal pressure, and flexibility over the traditional French central pawn clashes. Ideal for players who enjoy creative, strategically rich positions and who are willing to leave mainstream theory behind.