Chess openings / French Defense

French Defense: Steinitz Variation

French Defense: Steinitz Variation (C11) starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3. In 10,175 games between strong players, White wins 44%, 25% are drawn and Black wins 31%; the most played move is 6…Nc6 (85%).

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1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3

ECO
C11
Games between strong players
10,175
To move
Black
44%25%31%

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
6…Nc685% (8,692)43%25%32%–
6…Be78% (800)52%25%23%–
6…cxd43% (298)45%39%16%–
6…a62% (220)37%30%33%–
6…Qb61% (136)43%15%42%–

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5

More French Defense lines

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