French: Winawer, Bogoljubow, 5...cxd4
French Defense: Winawer Variation
Definition
The Winawer Variation is one of the main branches of the French Defense, reached after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4. Black immediately pins the knight on c3, challenging White’s center and setting the stage for unbalanced pawn structures and sharp play. The line is named after the Polish master Szymon Winawer (1838-1919), who employed it with great success in the late 19th century.
Typical Move Order
The canonical sequence goes:
- 1. e4 e6
- 2. d4 d5
- 3. Nc3 Bb4 (Winawer)
- 4. e5 c5
- 5. a3 Bxc3+
- 6. bxc3 Ne7
- 7. Qg4 – the ultra-sharp Poisoned Pawn line
Strategic Ideas
• Structural Imbalances: After …Bxc3+ and bxc3, White gains the bishop pair and a large center, but inherits compromised pawns (d4, c3, c2). Black strives to undermine that center with …c5, …Nc6, and breaks on …f6 or …e5.
• Kingside vs. Queenside: White often castles long, launching a pawn storm (h4-h5, g4-g5) against Black’s king on the kingside. Black counters on the queenside and in the center (…Qa5, …Bd7, …Rc8).
• Piece Activity: Fast development is critical—both players may leave their kings in the center well into the middlegame if the initiative promises dividends.
Historical Significance
The Winawer gained tremendous popularity after Mikhail Botvinnik and later Anatoly Karpov adopted it as a main weapon. Its theoretical body is vast; entire monographs are devoted to sub-lines like the Poisoned Pawn (7.Qg4), the Armenian Variation (7.a4), and the Winawer Exchange (4.exd5). Computer engines continue to unearth novelties every year.
Illustrative Game
Botvinnik – Capablanca, AVRO 1938, is a classic demonstration of White’s attacking chances after 7.Qg4. Botvinnik’s aggressive pawn storm forced the former World Champion on the defensive and eventually netted a positional pawn sacrifice for a decisive attack.
Fun Facts
- Grandmaster Viktor Kortchnoi kept the Winawer in his repertoire for over 50 years, playing it in World Championship matches against Karpov.
- The “Poisoned Pawn” line’s name derives from the tempting but dangerous pawn on g7 that White targets with 7.Qg4.
Bogoljubow (as an Opening Concept)
Definition
“Bogoljubow” in opening terminology usually references lines pioneered by the Ukrainian-German GM Efim Bogoljubov (1889-1952), twice challenger for the World Championship. Two main openings bear his name:
- Bogo-Indian Defense: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+.
- Bogoljubow Defense to the Queen’s Gambit: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5!?
Usage and Typical Plans
• Bogo-Indian (3…Bb4+):
– Black uses an early check to develop with tempo and may trade on d2 to eliminate White’s dark-squared bishop.
– Common continuations: 4.Bd2 (solid), 4.Nbd2 (keeps the bishop pair), 4.Bg5 (forcing line).
• 2…e5 vs. Queen’s Gambit:
– An immediate central strike. After 3.dxe5, Black often recovers the pawn with …Ng4 and …Nc6, aiming for quick activity.
– Modern theory treats it as risky but playable, favored by creative players looking to sidestep mainstream Queen’s Gambit theory.
Historical Notes
Bogoljubov’s flamboyant style and willingness to experiment left a large theoretical footprint. Though he lost two title matches to Alekhine (1929, 1934), his openings live on. The Bogo-Indian has become a respected alternative to the Nimzo-Indian, employed by Kramnik, Carlsen, and many elite GMs.
Example Lines
• Bogo-Indian, Main Line:
• Bogoljubow Defense (Queen’s Gambit):
Interesting Tidbits
- Efim’s famous quip to Alekhine before their 1929 match: “When I’m White I win because I am White; when I’m Black I win because I am Bogoljubov.”
- The spelling “Bogoljubow” with a “w” is the German transliteration; English texts alternate between “Bogoljubov” and “Bogolyubov.”
5…cxd4
Definition
5…cxd4 is not an opening by itself but a pivotal pawn capture seen in several major defenses, most famously the Sicilian Defense (Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov). The move occurs after White’s knight lands on c3, and Black exchanges on d4 to gain central tension and open lines.
Canonical Context: Sicilian Sveshnikov
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 cxd4 6.Nxd4 e5. The capture sets up the famous Sveshnikov structure: a backward d-pawn for Black in exchange for strong central control and dynamic minor-piece play.
Why is it Important?
- Temporarily Lures the Knight: After 6.Nxd4, Black can chase the knight with …e5 and later …d5, seizing space.
- Imbalances: Leads to asymmetrical pawn structures, giving both sides rich tactical and strategic possibilities.
- Theoretical Battles: The Sveshnikov has one of the heaviest analytical workloads in modern chess; engines dig several dozen moves deep in critical 5…cxd4 lines.
Other Openings Featuring 5…cxd4
- Grünfeld Defense: In some Exchange lines Black meets 5.cxd5 with 5…cxd4 to accelerate queenside play.
- Caro-Kann Two Knights: 1.e4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 5…cxd4 (secondary line).
- Queen’s Gambit Accepted: Occasionally the recapture on d4 with a c-pawn is deferred to move 5, creating similar central tension.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Anecdotes and Trivia
- In Kasparov vs. Kramnik, Linares 1999, Kasparov uncorked a novelty on move 23 in a 5…cxd4 Sveshnikov, leading to a spectacular sacrificial attack and earning the brilliancy prize.
- The move 5…cxd4 was originally considered suspect in the 1970s; it was Evgeny Sveshnikov who rehabilitated and championed it, proving its soundness at the top level.