C15
French Defense: Winawer Variation
Key moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4
The Winawer Variation is the sharpest line in the French Defence. Black pins the knight with ...Bb4, creating immediate tension. After 4.e5, both sides have clear but opposing plans — White gets a strong centre and kingside attack, while Black targets the queenside.
History & Notable Players
Named after Simon Winawer. The Poisoned Pawn variation (7...Qg4) is one of the most deeply analysed positions in chess history. Mikhail Botvinnik was a famous proponent.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C10 - French Defense: Marshall Gambit747C11 - French Defense: Steinitz Variation1538C12 - French Defense: McCutcheon Variation175C13 - French Defense: Classical Variation93C14 - French Defense: Classical Variation104C16 - 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
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Bykhovsky,Av1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 14 • 2020★ Notable
Anand,V vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
4th Sinquefield Cup 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Hou Yifan vs Sedina,E1-0
WCh-Women • 2008★ Notable
Michel, C. vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Wch U20 • 1985★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 21th • 1957★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable
Keres, Paul vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Alekhine, Alexander vs Euwe, Max1-0
World Championship 16th • 1935★ Notable
Alekhine, Alexander vs Euwe, Max1/2-1/2
World Championship 16th • 1935★ Notable
Alekhine, Alexander vs Euwe, Max1-0
World Championship 16th • 1935★ Notable
Alekhine, Alexander vs Euwe, Max1-0
World Championship 16th • 1935★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Tarrasch, Siegbert1-0
World Championship 8th • 1908★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Tarrasch, Siegbert1/2-1/2
World Championship 8th • 1908★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
chess.com SpeedChess 2025 • 2025
Grischuk,A vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
Chessable Masters Play-In • 2025
Anand,V vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Casablanca Chess 2024 • 2024
Tari,A vs Rapport,R0-1
9th Norway Chess 2021 • 2021