The Shirov-Anand Variation 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. e5 Nfd7 5. Nce2, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
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 Shirov-Anand Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nce2. It is a variation of the French, Classical Variation and is catalogued as ECO C11.
The Shirov-Anand Variation 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. e5 Nfd7 5. Nce2 at +0.20 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.