The Steinitz Variation, Boleslavsky 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. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves.
On the French Defense generally: A solid defense where Black builds a strong pawn chain. Leads to strategic middlegames with clear plans.
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The Steinitz Variation, Boleslavsky Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C11.
The Steinitz Variation, Boleslavsky 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. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 at +0.43 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move.