Chess opening · ECO C15
French Defense: Winawer Variation
The French Defense: Winawer Variation starts 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4. It ranks #128 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... e6Black advances the e-pawn to e6.
- 2. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
- 2... d5Black pushes the d-pawn two squares to d5, staking a claim in the center.
- 3. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.
- 3... Bb4Black develops the dark-squared bishop to b4. It now attacks the knight on c3.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated under 1200, the most popular next move is Bd2; among players rated 2000 and up, it is e5.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Bd2 60% | exd5 40% | – |
| 1200–1399 | Bd2 36% | e5 29% | exd5 23% |
| 1400–1599 | e5 39% | exd5 21% | Bd2 17% |
| 1600–1799 | e5 55% | exd5 16% | a3 8% |
| 1800–1999 | e5 60% | exd5 15% | a3 9% |
| 2000 and up | e5 78% | Ne2 8% | exd5 7% |
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