French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation (C19)

The Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C19. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. a4, 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 one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves. White has doubled pawns on the c-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; White has the bishop pair.

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.

Position characteristics

• Contested centre
• Bishop pair
• Doubled pawns
• Isolated pawn

Related French Defense lines

• Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation, Main Line
• Winawer Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation, Paoli Variation
• Winawer Variation, Portisch-Hook Variation
• Winawer Variation, Warsaw Variation
• Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation
• Winawer Variation, Positional Variation
• Winawer Variation, Positional Variation
• Winawer Variation, Positional Variation
• Reversed Philidor Formation
• St. George Defense, Traditional Line
• Exchange Variation, Bogoljubow Variation
• Exchange Variation, Svenonius Variation

See all 115 French Defense variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation?

The Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. a4. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C19.

What is the ECO code for the Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation?

The Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation is ECO C19. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.

Is the Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. a4 at +0.36 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.

What kind of position does the Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation lead to?

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 one minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has doubled pawns on the c-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated; White has the bishop pair.