Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Westerinen Attack
Sicilian Defense: French Variation
Definition
The French Variation of the Sicilian Defense arises after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6. Black’s second move prepares …d5 and produces a pawn structure that often resembles the French Defense, hence the name. The line falls under ECO codes B40–B44.
Typical Move-Order
The most common sequence is:
- 1. e4 c5
- 2. Nf3 e6
- 3. d4 cxd4
- 4. Nxd4 (or 4.Qxd4 – the Westerinen Attack; see next section)
- 4… Nf6 5. Nc3 d5
Other move-orders (3…d5, 3…a6, or 4…a6) are also possible but retain the same strategic DNA: …e6 followed by an early …d5.
Strategic Themes
- French-like center. After …d5, Black strikes at e4 much as in the French Defense. The pawn on c5 instead of e6 gives Black extra queenside scope, especially the lever …b5.
- Flexible piece play. Because Black has not committed the g8-knight or the c8-bishop until later, setups with …Bb4, …Bc5, or …b6 & …Bb7 are all viable.
- Tempo trade-off. Black avoids the sharp Open Sicilian lines with …d6 and …Nc6 but concedes some space and allows White to choose between quiet central setups (e.g., 5.exd5) or sharp pawn storms (e.g., 6.e5 in the main line).
Historical Context
The variation gained traction in the 1950s and 1960s when French specialists such as Maxime Vachier-Lagrave’s predecessors noticed that combining French themes with Sicilian counterplay gave an attractive “hybrid” defense. Anatoly Karpov, Viktor Korchnoi, and later Vassily Ivanchuk have employed it with success when looking to sidestep mainstream Najdorf or Scheveningen theory.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following concise example shows standard ideas for both sides:
White gains space with e5 and f4; Black counters with …d5 and rapid kingside castling, typical of the French-Variation middlegame.
Interesting Nuggets
- Because 2…e6 keeps the c8-bishop flexible, the French Variation is often chosen by players who enjoy placing that bishop on b7 via …b6 rather than locking it behind the e6 pawn as in a true French.
- Many French Defense specialists (e.g., Nigel Short) adopt this Sicilian line when they need a win with Black yet do not fancy navigating Najdorf theory.
- The variation is one of the safest ways for Black to reach a completely French pawn structure without allowing White’s Exchange French (since 2…c5 has already been played).
Westerinen Attack (within the Sicilian French Variation)
Definition
The Westerinen Attack, named after Finnish Grandmaster Heikki Westerinen, is a rare but venomous sideline that appears after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4. Instead of recapturing with the knight, White uses the queen to recover the pawn, aiming to:
- Maintain a pawn on e4 (unlike 4.Nxd4, which sometimes invites …Bb4+) and
- Accelerate pressure down the d- and e-files before Black completes development.
Key Continuations
- 4…Nc6 5.Qe3 Nf6 6.Nc3. The queen retreats to a safe square while still guarding the center.
- 4…Nc6 5.Qe3 Nf6 6.Bd3. Heikki Westerinen’s own pet line, reinforcing e4 and eyeing g7.
- 4…Nf6 5.e5 Nd5 6.c4. White chases the knight and establishes a Maroczy-style space clamp.
Strategic Ideas
- Development versus tempo. White loses time with the queen but gains a lead in central influence; Black tries to prove the queen is misplaced by rapid piece play (…Nc6, …Nf6, …Bb4+).
- Flexible queen placement. Re-routing the queen to e3, d3, or a4 dictates Black’s development and can interfere with …d5 or …d6 breaks.
- Dynamic imbalance. The resulting positions are unbalanced and tactically charged—ideal for creative or surprise-oriented players.
Historic Example
One of the earliest showcases was Westerinen–Andersson, Helsinki 1967. A simplified version of that game’s opening:
White emerged with a pleasant center and a lead in development, although Andersson eventually outplayed his opponent in the endgame.
Practical Tips
- After 4.Qxd4, be ready for 4…Nc6. Have a clear retreat square for your queen (e3, d3, or a4) before you play the line.
- Watch the e4-pawn: if Black can play …d5 with tempo, the queen may become a target.
- Against club-level opposition, the surprise value alone can net quick wins; very few Sicilian players face this variation regularly.
Interesting Facts
- GM Heikki Westerinen used the attack extensively in the late 1960s and early 1970s, scoring several upset wins against grandmasters who were unprepared for the early queen sortie.
- The ECO code for the line is B40, combining “French Variation” with the “Westerinen Attack.”
- In online blitz, engines evaluate the immediate queen recapture as roughly equal (≈0.20) but caution that accurate play is required; one careless move can leave White scrambling to rescue the queen from a forthcoming …Nb4 or …Bc5.