The Steinitz Variation is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C11. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. dxc5 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d5). Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after six moves. White has doubled pawns on the c-file.
On the French Defense generally: A solid defense where Black builds a strong pawn chain. Leads to strategic middlegames with clear plans.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 115 French Defense variations →
The Steinitz Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. dxc5 Nc6. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C11.
The Steinitz Variation is ECO C11. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. dxc5 Nc6 at -0.10 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 e5, Black on d5). Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. White has doubled pawns on the c-file.