Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. Bg5/4...Be7/5. e5/5...Nfd7/6. Bxe7/6...Qxe7

Classical variation C14 Classical variation 6...Qxe7 This is an important branching point in the classical French defence. While the main line /7. f4/ occurs in the vast majority of the games, the alternatives are not much worse. /7. f4/, the aforementioned main line, has been called the Steinitz variation, though he usually preferred lines such as 4. e5, only playing the move once in his career. After being very rare in the 19th century, the move gradually became dominant over the others during the 20th century. /7. Qd2/ is the Rubinstein variation, though it commonly transposes to the 7. f4 line. White seeks to quickly prepare queenside castling. Since queenside castling isn't safe for Black, it is not unlikely to result in a game with opposite side castling and vicious pawn storms on both sides of the board. /7. Nb5/ is the Alapin variation. White threatens to fork Black's king and rook on c7. Black will generally at some point spend some tempi to chase the knight away. White will then have the option of rerouting the knight to a3 and subsequently c2, where it supports White's center. /7. Qg4/, the Pollock variation, sees White quickly go for a kingside attack with their pieces. While objectively equal according to engine analysis, Black will have to be careful. Theory table Steinitz variation 7. f4 a6 8. Nf3 c5 Rubinstein variation 7. Qd2 O-O 8. f4 c5 Alapin variation 7. Nb5 Nb6 8. c3 a6 Pollock variation 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3 c5 References French Defence Traditional_line:_4.Bg5_Be7_5.e5_Nfd7_6.Bxe7_Qxe7