[Event "Burn Variation Of The French Defence: French Defence - Burn Variation without 7...f5"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/cPClFn0l/7m2P2d1X"]
[Date "2022.11.02"]
[White "French Defence"]
[Black "Burn Variation without 7...f5"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "mistr"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C11"]
[Opening "French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Morozevich Line"]
[Source "https://lichess.org/study/cPClFn0l/7m2P2d1X"]
[Orientation "white"]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 { With this bishop move, White
initiates a very popular variation of the French Defence that, surprisingly
enough, doesn't have a proper name (at least not at this point). The idea is
simple - White is violating the principle of developing the knights before the
bishops in order to put the pressure on the knight on f6 and - consequently -
the central pan on d5. -- According to my database, this is the most popular
move in this position and is definitely one that any 3...Nf6 French Defence
player has to prepare for. } { [%cal Rg5d8] } 4... dxe4 { This exchanging maneuver in the center,
reminscent of the so-called Rubinstein variation, might actually be the best
way to handle this position. At first glance, this seems like a concession as
Black is surrendering the center, but they are trying to make an argument that
the knight will be drawn to e4 and then somewhat exposed - especially since
the bishop is already on g5. --- Even though traditionally, 4...Be7 has been
the more popular move, if I were to recommend a weapon against 4.Bg5, I would
definitely recommend this one - I have even played it once myself in a serious
tournament game. } 5. Nxe4 Be7 { The point of
Black's play. Now the knight on e4 is under the attack and the bishop on g5 is
also prone to exchanging. Black is trying to make an argument that the piece
exchanges will favour them as they have less space (and traditionally,
exchanges favour the player with less space in the majority of cases). } { [%csl Re4,Rg5][%cal Re7g5,Rf6e4] } (5... Nbd7 { Black can also try reinforcing the knight with Nbd7, but here we
transpose to a variation of the Rubinstein defence that will be examined in
the video/file dedicated to that variation (3...dxe4). }) 6. Bxf6 { In my opinion, this is the most ambitious move in the position,
exchanging only one pair of minor pieces and keeping the knight on e4 on the
board. It is true that White is giving up the bishop pair, but in return, we
either game some time or ruin Black's pawn structure, depending how Black
recaptures. Furthermore, the knight on e4 also controls the important c5
square, preventing Black's liberating c5 push (at least for now). } { [%csl Ge4][%cal Ge4c5] } (6. Nxf6+ { White can also take on f6 here, but it feels less ambitious as it leads to
quite a few exchanges - which should nominally benefit Black as they have less
space here. } 6... Bxf6 7. Bxf6 { Nothing else makes much sense. } 7... Qxf6 8. Nf3 { White continues developing normally, but Black essentially has a reasonable
version of the Rubinstein variation. It is very difficult to prevent them from
playing the liberating c5 push. There are plenty of games with Grischuk with
Black from this position. } 8... O-O 9. Bd3 { By far the main move here. White has
some other options, but I feel Black should be very happy with the outcome of
the opening after playing c5 on the next move anyway. } 9... c5 { And
due to the hanging b2 pawn the c5 pawn can't be taken so Black should be
reasonably happy here. Rd8, Nc6 are all coming, etc. There are no problems
with development and no weaknesses, which is the reason why 6. Nxf6 is not as
popular as 6. Bxf6. } { [%cal Rf6b2] }) 6... gxf6 { The most ambitious and fighting approach in this position, as it
leads to a very imbalanced position. Black voluntarily doubles the pawns, but
claims that the open g-file, the bishop pair and the potential to kick the
knight from e4 with f5 next all provide compensation for the ruined pawn
structure. Furthermore, Black keeps the bishop on e7 where it helps prepare
the central c5 pawn advance. } { [%csl Gc5,Gf6,Gf7][%cal Ge7c5,Gc7c5,Gh8g8,Gf6f5] } 7. Nf3 { The starting point of the variation. Now
Black has the first decision to make - do they want to include f5 immediately,
or do they want to wait a bit before doing so. } 7... a6 { Apart
from the move 7...f5, forcing the knight away from e4, the text move,
preparing to fianchetto the bishop with b5-Bb7 next, is the second big option
and main move in the position. Black doesn't want to chase the knight to c3
and think about d5 resources all the time. On the other hand, the downside of
keeping the knight on e4 is the fact that it can access the c5 square - which
becomes especially relevant once Black plays b5. So there is definitely pro
and contra when it comes to including f5 and both approaches have the right to
exist. } { [%cal Ga6b5,Gb7b5] } 8. g3 { Just like in variations with f5 included, this is the main
reply to Black's idea of fianchettoing the bishop - and the nature of the play
is fairly similar (not to mention that Black can include f5 and transpose at
any moment). } 8... b5 { At this point, it is probably better to include f5 and chase
the knight away from e4 as in this positional line, the added option of having
it on e4 becomes surprisingly relevant - especially once White moves the queen
away from d1 and introduces the idea of playing Rd1. } 9. Bg2 Bb7 { Developing the bishop to the long diagonal and attacking the knight on e4.
Alas, now White can switch plans and maintain the knight on e4. } { [%cal Rb7g2] } (9... f5 { Now is probably the last chance to include f5 and chase the
knight away as jumping to c5 is not as good with the queen on d1. } { [%cal Rf5e4] } 10. Nc5 Bxc5 11. dxc5 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1 Bb7 { With the queens exchanged, this
position is perfectly acceptable for Black. The king will be perfectly safe on
e7. } { [%cal Ge8e7] }) 10. Qe2 { White brings the queen to e2 and
vacates the d1 square. More importantly - now the knight has the option of
jumping to c5 as Black no longer has the option of exchanging the queens in
case they take on c5. } { [%csl Gd1][%cal Ge2e4,Ga1d1] } 10... Nd7 { The main move in the position, but I am really a
bit sceptical about Black's setup (even though some very strong players such
as Vitiugov, Short and Morozevich played this with Black). As mentioned
earlier - the issue is that now Nc5 will be a strong resource in many cases. } (10... f5 11. Nc5 { Might be an option for Black, though. The point is that the
knight hasn't been developed to d7 so it has the option to go to c6, e.g. } 11... Bxc5 12. dxc5 Be4 13. O-O Nc6 { Although A) This is very computerish and B) White
nevertheless retains the edge in this position, despite the fact that the pawn
on c5 can be potentially weak. }) 11. O-O f5 { And now White has the option of
going back to the 7...f5 lines or play more energetically by jumping to c5. } 12. Nc5 { The point is that the pawn can't be captured due to the critical Qe5
double attack, e.g. } 12... Bxc5 (12... Nxc5 13. dxc5 Bf6 { Is probably better, but
then after } 14. Rad1 Qe7 15. b4 { White obtains a very
reasonable position with hopes of exploiting the defects in Black's pawn
structure. Note that White will eliminate the bishop pair with ease after Ne5/
Nd4 due to the staredown contest between the two light-squared bishops. } { [%cal Rg2b7,Rb7g2,Gf3d4] }) 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Qe5 { [%cal Re5c5,Re5h8] } *