Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nc3/3...Bb4/4. e5/4...c5/5. a3/5...Ba5

French defence: Winawer variation C16 Winawer variation 5...Ba5 · Retreat variation Black retreats the bishop, keeping the pin on the knight and avoiding the main lines of the Winawer. By far White's most popular and forcing option is /6. b4/. This breaks the pin and forces Black to respond to the threat immediately. Blacks best move isn't immediately obvious, so some preparation is needed. A lot less common is 6. Bd2. White breaks the pin with the bishop, but does not actually threaten anything. Blacks usual continuation is 6...Nc6, which generally leads to the following semi-forcing moves: 7. Nb5 Nxd4 8. Nxd4 cxd4 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bxd7 Kxd7 and Black is up a pawn for now, but has lost their castling rights. 6. Qg4 is a seemingly aggressive response that gives White pretty good chances in practice. Despite first appearances, White doesn't generally take on g7. Instead, 6...Ne7 7. dxc5!? Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 +. Theory table Armenian line 6. b4 cxd4 7. Nb5 Bc7 8. f4 Bd7 9. Nxc7+ Qxc7 + 6. Bd2 Nc6 7. Nb5 Nxd4 8. Nxd4 cxd4 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bxd7 Kxd7 6. Qg4 Ne7 7. dxc5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Ng6 + References French Defence Winawer_Variation:_3.Nc3_Bb4 See also