The Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C15. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on e4). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after six moves. Black has doubled pawns on the e-file; 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.
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The Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C15.
The Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation is ECO C15. 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 Bb4 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6 at +0.21 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, Black on e4). Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the e-file; White has the bishop pair.