French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation

Chess players often begin the game with 1.e4, aiming to control the center of the board. This opening move enables the White pawns to move freely and opens up the diagonal for the White Bishop to come into play. With control of the center, White can dictate how the game will be played and apply pressure on the Black pieces.

Black's move e6 prevents White from advancing their pawn to e5, which would give them a strong hold on the center of the board. By placing a pawn on e6, Black also gains control over the d5 square, preventing White from placing their knight there. The move e6 is a typical response to 1.e4 and is an important component of Black's strategy to equalize the position.

White's move d4 aims to control the central squares and create more space in the center of the board. This move also prepares to develop the queen's bishop and knight, placing pressure on Black's position. Additionally, it opens up a diagonal for the queen to be developed later on in the game. With d4, White is working to increase their control over the center and create opportunities to launch an attack against Black's position.

In the French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation, Black's move d5 aims to challenge White's control over the center of the board. By placing a pawn in the center, Black gains a foothold in the middle of the board and prepares to further develop their pieces. This move also puts pressure on White's d4 pawn, making it difficult for them to advance it without losing material. By playing d5, Black seeks to equalize the position and create counterplay against White's position.

White's move Nc3 develops a piece and protects their d4 pawn, which is under threat from Black's d5 pawn. Additionally, this move prepares to attack Black's knight on f6, which defends the pawn on d5. By placing a knight in the center, White reinforces their control over the central squares and prepares to launch a potential attack on the kingside. With Nc3, White positions their pieces with a view to gaining control of the board and putting pressure on Black's position.

Black's move Nf6 aims to challenge White's control over the center and develops a knight towards the center of the board. This move also puts pressure on White's pawn on d4, making it difficult for them to advance it without losing material. By developing a knight, Black also prepares to castle and further develop their pieces. Additionally, Nf6 prevents White's pawn on e5 from advancing, reducing their control over the center. With Nf6, Black strengthens their position and prepares to contest White's control of the board.

In the French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation, White's move Bg5 aims to pin Black's knight on f6 and disrupt their development. This move puts pressure on Black's position and threatens to exchange the knight, potentially weakening Black's pawn structure. Additionally, Bg5 prepares to castle kingside and further develop pieces towards the center. By playing Bg5, White aims to gain control over the board and put Black on the defensive. This move is an important component of White's early game strategy in the French Defense, as it challenges Black's position and presents them with difficult decisions to make.

Black's move Be7 aims to defend the knight on f6, which is under attack from White's bishop on g5. This move also prepares to castle kingside, which strengthens Black's king position and develops their rook towards the center. Additionally, by playing Be7, Black develops a piece and maintains pressure on White's d4 pawn, making it difficult for them to advance it without losing material. With Be7, Black's position becomes more solid and prepares for further development in the game.

White's move e5 aims to break open the center of the board and create more space for their pieces. This move also attacks Black's knight on f6, which is pinned by White's bishop on g5. By pushing the e-pawn forward, White gains more control over the center and creates opportunities to launch an attack on the kingside. Additionally, this move opens up a diagonal for the queen and bishop to be developed later on in the game. With e5, White takes the initiative and seeks to gain a decisive advantage in the game.

In the French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation, Black's move Nfd7 aims to develop a knight and block White's pawn on e5, which is threatening Black's position. With Nfd7, Black also reinforces their control over the d5 square, making it difficult for White to advance their pawn. Additionally, this move prepares to place the knight on c5 or e6 in the future, strengthening Black's position. By playing Nfd7, Black improves their development and creates opportunities to launch a counterattack on the queenside or in the center of the board.

White's move Bxe7 exchanges a bishop for Black's knight on d7, which is a useful defender in the center of the board. Additionally, by playing Bxe7, White gains control over the d5 square and prepares to advance the d4 pawn in future moves. This move also opens up a diagonal for White's queen to be developed later on in the game. With Bxe7, White improves their position and creates opportunities to attack Black's weakened pawn structure. This move is an important component of White's strategy in the French Defense, as it challenges Black's position and simplifies the position in White's favor.

Black's move Qxe7 captures White's bishop on e7, forcing White to recapture with their queen. This move also creates a strong defense for Black's king and eliminates a potential attacker from White's position. Additionally, Qxe7 places Black's queen on an open file and prepares to castle kingside. With this move, Black seeks to simplify the position and equalize the game. However, capturing on e7 also weakens Black's pawn structure, as they now have a doubled pawn on the f-file. In sum, Qxe7 is a useful move in Black's arsenal to gain a foothold in the center of the board and create more opportunities for counterplay.

In the French Defense: Classical Variation, Steinitz Variation, White's move f4 aims to chase Black's knight away from the center of the board and create more space for White's pieces. This move also attacks Black's pawn on e5 and prepares to extend the f-pawn towards the kingside. Additionally, f4 supports White's control over the center of the board and opens up a diagonal for the queen and bishop to be developed later in the game. With f4, White seeks to gain more control over the board and open up lines of attack against Black's position. However, this move also weakens White's pawn structure and creates potential weaknesses on the kingside.