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.

Best Games

Caruana,F vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Ding Liren1/2-1/2
WCh 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Ding Liren0-1
WCh 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Aronian,L0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Caruana,F0-1
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M1-0
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
So,W vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2022★ Notable
Wang Hao vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2021★ Notable
Alekseenko,K vs Grischuk,A1-0
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2021★ Notable
Giri,A vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
83rd Tata Steel Masters • 2021★ Notable
Swiercz,D vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 20 • 2020★ Notable
Ponkratov,P vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Bullet (1+1) 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Shevchenko,Kirill vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
PNWCC Bullet (1+1) 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Bykhovsky,Av1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 15 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Rathnakaran,K1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 9 • 2020★ Notable

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players