C11
French Defense: Steinitz Variation
Key moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6
The Classical Variation is a direct approach where Black develops the knight to f6, challenging e4 directly. It leads to the most theoretically dense lines of the French.
History & Notable Players
A mainstream choice that leads to rich strategic and tactical play.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C10 - French Defense: Marshall Gambit747C12 - French Defense: McCutcheon Variation175C13 - French Defense: Classical Variation93C14 - French Defense: Classical Variation104C15 - French Defense: Winawer Variation278C16 - French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation263C17 - French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation225C18 - French Defense: Winawer Variation, Warsaw Variation487C19 - French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation379
Best Games
Caruana,F vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
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Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M1-0
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So,W vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
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Wang Hao vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2020 2021Notable
Alekseenko,K vs Grischuk,A1-0
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PNWCC Bullet (1+1) 2020 2020Notable
Ponkratov,P vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
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PNWCC Online Blitz JP 15 2020Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Rathnakaran,K1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 9 2020Notable