Chess openings / French Defense

French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation

French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation (C11) starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5. In 12,957 games between strong players, White wins 45%, 23% are drawn and Black wins 32%; the most played move is 4…Nfd7 (98%).

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1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5

ECO
C11
Games between strong players
12,957
To move
Black
45%23%32%

White wins, draws and Black wins, from this position.

What strong players play next

The moves played most from this position in over-the-board broadcasts and the Lichess Elite Database, how often, and how the games ended.

MovePlayedResultsLeads to
4…Nfd798% (12,672)45%23%32%–
4…Ng81% (162)41%50%–
4…Ne41% (114)54%36%–

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from French Defense: Classical Variation 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6

More French Defense lines

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