The Burn, gxf6 Line is a variation of the French, Classical Variation, catalogued as ECO C11. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black’s h-file pawn is isolated; Black has the bishop pair.
On the French, Classical Variation generally: The classical approach to the French with 3...Nf6, directly challenging White's e4 pawn. Leads to the famous Steinitz, Burn, and McCutcheon variations.
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See all 8 French, Classical Variation variations →
The Burn, gxf6 Line goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6. It is a variation of the French, Classical Variation and is catalogued as ECO C11.
The Burn, gxf6 Line is ECO C11. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French, Classical Variation.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 at +0.37 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black’s h-file pawn is isolated; Black has the bishop pair.