Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nc3/3...Nf6/4. Bg5/4...Be7

Classical variation C14 Classical variation 4...Be7 · Classical variation Because Nf6 is no longer pinned, Black threatens to win the e4-pawn. Any attempt to defend the pawn, e.g. by 5. f3?! or 5. Bd3?!, fails to actually protect the pawn because White's bishop on g5 isn't defended, so Black can simply play 5...Nxe4! and win a pawn (6. Bxe7 Nxc3 7. Bxd8 Nxd1 8. Bxc7 Nxb2 -). That's why White either moves the e4-pawn to a safe square with /5. e5/, or eliminates an attacker of e4 by playing /5. Bxf6/. A safe alternative is a transposition to the Exchange variation with /5. exd5/. Theory table 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 5. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. Nf3 O-O 5. exd5 exd5 References French Defence Traditional_line:_4.Bg5_Be7_5.e5_Nfd7_6.Bxe7_Qxe7