French: Steinitz, 5.Nf3 c5 (Steinitz Variation)

French Defence: Steinitz Variation

Definition

The Steinitz Variation of the French Defence arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7. It is named for the first official World Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900), who championed the idea of retreating the knight to attack White’s center later rather than immediately contesting it on f6.

Strategic Features

• Closed Center: By advancing the e-pawn to e5, White locks the center. Black’s knight retreat to d7 prepares …c5 and …Nc6 to undermine the d4-pawn from the flanks.
• Flexibility for Black: The knight on d7 supports the thematic …f6 break while sidestepping the pin Bg5 found in many other French lines.
• Long-Term Plans:
  • White usually plays f4, Nf3, and Be3, expanding on the kingside and maintaining space.
  • Black hits back with …c5, …Nc6, and sometimes …g5 or …f6 to fracture White’s pawn chain.

Historical Significance

Steinitz introduced the line in the late 19th century, challenging the prevailing romantic style of direct attacks. His treatment emphasized structural soundness and long-term pressure—hallmarks of what would later be called “positional” chess.

Although fashions have shifted repeatedly—most notably toward the Winawer (3…Bb4) and the Classical (3…Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4) in the 20th century—the Steinitz remains a practical weapon from club to elite level.

Illustrative Game

Kasparov – Short, Linares 1993
Garry Kasparov demonstrated how White’s space advantage can become an outright kingside attack after 9.O-O-O and 10.h4-h5, eventually winning with a direct assault on the black king.

Interesting Facts

• The move 4…Nfd7 violates the classical maxim “Knights on the rim are dim” by voluntarily retreating, yet modern engines confirm its soundness.
• Steinitz himself used the line successfully in the 1889 New York Tournament, scoring +3 =1 -0 with it as Black.
• Because the structure often locks early, endgame skill is at a premium; many games are decided 40–50 moves later when pawn breaks finally occur.

5.Nf3 c5 in the Steinitz Variation

Definition

After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nf3 c5, Black immediately challenges the d4-pawn instead of playing the more patient 5…Be7 or 5…c5 at move six. This move order defines one of the sharpest branches of the Steinitz Variation.

Typical Move Order

1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. e5 Nfd7
5. Nf3 c5

From here the main continuations are 6.dxc5 (the Rubinstein Path), 6.Be3, or 6.a3, each setting a different middlegame tone.

Strategic Ideas

• Immediate Counter-Strike: By playing …c5 at once, Black tries to prove that White’s e5 push has created an extended pawn chain vulnerable to attack from the wings.
• Isolated Queen’s Pawn Scenarios: If White meets …c5 with dxc5 and later c4, an IQP on d4 can arise, giving dynamic chances to both sides.
• Piece Placement: The early …c5 often leads to a knight landing on c6 and a bishop on e7 or b4, harmonizing with pressure on d4.

Key Example Position

After 6.dxc5 Nc6 7.Bd3 Nxe5 Black sacrifices a pawn (temporarily) to seize the initiative. The resulting imbalance illustrates the fighting nature of 5…c5.

Modern Practice

Top grandmasters such as Alexander Grischuk, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Fabiano Caruana have all tested 5…c5 in recent years, a testament to its resilience even against computer-assisted preparation.

Anecdotes & Fun Facts

• When Magnus Carlsen employed 5…c5 against Hikaru Nakamura in the 2015 London Chess Classic, commentators joked that the World Champion “forgot to waste time on …Be7,” highlighting how move orders can be psychological weapons.
• In correspondence chess, engines often recommend 6.Nb5!?, a tricky pawn sacrifice aiming for a quick c3-c4 break—an idea almost unheard-of before the computer era.
• The line is a favorite in blitz and rapid because Black’s plans are straightforward: hammer d4 and play on both wings, forcing White to demonstrate precise defensive technique.