The Steinitz Variation, Brodsky-Jones 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 7. a3 Bxc5 8. Qg4 O-O 9. Nf3 f6, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after nine moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.
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, Brodsky-Jones Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. a3 Bxc5 8. Qg4 O-O 9. Nf3 f6. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C11.
The Steinitz Variation, Brodsky-Jones 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 7. a3 Bxc5 8. Qg4 O-O 9. Nf3 f6 at +0.62 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.