French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Alatortsev Variation

The French Defense is a popular way for Black to respond to White's 1.e4 opening move. By playing e6 on the second move, Black immediately challenges White's central pawn. In response, White usually plays d4, which aims to control more central space and to develop the queen's bishop. The d4 move is a strong move, as it gains more space for White in the center of the board, supporting any future kingside attacks.

The move e6 by Black in response to 1.e4 aims to control the central squares d5 and f5, and prevent White from advancing the e-pawn to e5. This move also prepares for Black to develop their light-square bishop to either d6 or b4, enabling them to put pressure on White’s central pawns. Additionally, by playing e6, Black can support the move d5, which can lead to a pawn break and open up lines for their pieces. In sum, e6 is a solid and flexible move that allows Black to control the center and plan their future development.

The move d4 by White is a natural response to Black’s e6, as it aims to control more central space and challenge Black’s control of the d5 square. By advancing the d-pawn, White opens lines for their queen and bishop and gains a foothold in the center of the board. This move is also a key step in many popular openings, such as the King’s Indian Defense, the Queen’s Gambit, and the Slav Defense. By securing a strong central presence, White hopes to initiate a successful attack and gain an advantage in the game.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Alatortsev Variation, Black’s move d5 is a common response to White’s d4. This move aims to challenge White’s pawn center by pushing forward and controlling the critical d4 square. By advancing the d-pawn, Black frees up their light-square bishop and prepares to gain space on the queenside. This move also potentially opens lines for Black’s pieces and can lead to counterattacks against White’s pieces. Additionally, by exchanging pawns, Black reduces the tension in the center and reduces White’s central control.

The move Nc3 by White is a natural development move aimed at gaining control of the central squares and giving support to White’s d4 pawn. By developing the knight, White improves their pieces' placement and opens lines of attack on Black’s position. This move also allows White to threaten the c7 pawn and weaken Black’s pawn structure. The knight on c3 can later support a pawn push to d5, further strengthening White’s central hold on the board. Meanwhile, White's g3 pawn remains free to move, opening possibilities to expand on the kingside and hinder any Black counterplay there.

The move Bb4 by Black aims to pressure White’s knight on c3, and possibly force it to retreat. By pinning the knight, Black threatens to exchange White’s strong knight for Black’s weakened bishop. Additionally, the bishop on b4 attacks the d4 pawn, making it difficult for White to advance and maintain solid central control. This move also has the potential to support Black's control of the d5 square by exchanging the knight on c3. By playing Bb4, Black hopes to disrupt White’s development and gain more central space.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Alatortsev Variation, White’s move Ne2 in response to Black’s Bb4 aims to avoid a potential exchange of knights and weaken Black’s position. By moving the knight centrally to the e2 square, White defends the d4 pawn indirectly, allows for a potential f2-f4 pawn push and clears the way for White’s light-square bishop and Queen to move. This move also allows White to gain more central control by placing the knight near the d4 pawn. This knight placement also enables White to threaten an attack on the weak pawn on c5 if Black decides to move it. White's development continues and puts them in a good position to attack.

The move dxe4 by Black releases the pressure on their backward c-pawn and also attacks White's Knight. By taking the pawn, Black opens up lines for their pieces and starts to gain grip on the center. This move also sets up for Black's further development and allows their bishop on b4 to be oriented towards the kingside. Black's pawn on e4 also blocks White's central pawn majority from progressing freely, and placing the pawn on d5 later on will establish Black's presence in the centre of the board. Additionally, this tactical pawn capture disrupts White's plans and can destabilize their position.

The move a3 by White in response to Black's dxe4 aims to force Black's bishop to retreat to a less active square or exchange it for White's knight. By playing a3, White creates space for their queen's knight on c3 and prevents Black's bishop from advancing to b4 again. Additionally, this move creates a hook on b4. If Black were to push their pawn forward, White could potentially capture and open up lines for an attack on Black’s position. This move also prepares for White's future pawn storm on the queenside or kingside. In sum, a3 solidifies White's control in the center and disrupts Black's development.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Alatortsev Variation, Black’s move Be7 in response to White’s a3 aims to develop Black’s bishop and create space for their king to castle. By retreating to e7, Black keeps the option of castling kingside open and avoids exposing their light-square bishop to potential attacks. This move protects the bishop from any potential a3-b4 advance and also allows Black to later play f6 and possibly push the knight back to f3. Additionally, this move can set up potential tactical shots on White’s pawn structure if White advances to e5 in the future. Finally, moving the light-square bishop respects the semi-open diagonals that can be used for future piece development.

The move Nxe4 by White in response to Black’s Be7 aims to gain a pawn advantage and put pressure on Black’s position. By attacking the weak pawn on e4 with the knight, White opens up the possibility of a discovered attack on the bishop on e7 with their queen. This move also allows for White to advance their f-pawn to f4, supporting the central pawn structure. Capturing the pawn on e4 also eliminates potential threats from Black's pawn on the d5 square, eliminating the pin on White’s knight on c3. Finally, capturing the pawn on e4 also allows for the King to move into a safer position, with the option of castling into the kingside or kingside. In sum, Nxe4 allows for White to put pressure on Black’s position and gain more central control.

The move Nf6 by Black in response to White's Nxe4 aims to attack White’s knight and gain more control in the center of the board. By attacking the knight on e4, Black threatens to exchange their knight for White's knight and also puts pressure on White's d4 pawn. This move also opens up lines for Black’s pieces and prepares to castle kingside. Additionally, moving the knight to f6 frees up Black’s light-square bishop and clears space for a future f6 pawn push. This move also helps to build a pawn chain along the c-file, which may restrict White's movements on that file. Finally, the knight on f6 also guards against potential sacrifices on the g7 square, which can be a weakness in some French Defense variations.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Alatortsev Variation, White's move N2g3 in response to Black's Nf6 aims to control the central d5 square and prepare for an eventual f2-f4 pawn push. By developing the knight to g3, White positions it to support the pawn on e4 and clear the way for the Queen to move. This move also helps to reinforce White's influence in the center and threaten Black's knight on f6. Furthermore, by moving the knight to g3, White potentially opens up lines of attack towards Black's uncastled king on the kingside. Finally, developing the king's knight is a critical part of White's opening strategy, allowing them to control critical central space.

The move O-O by Black in response to White's N2g3 aims to increase the safety of Black’s king and prepare to activate their rook on the f8 square. By castling kingside, Black moves their king out of the center and towards safety while connecting their rooks. This move also puts Black in a position to initiate counterattacks by pushing their pawns forward on the queenside. Additionally, castling kingside can potentially prepare for Black's light square bishop to retreat to g7, strengthening their defense and control of the long diagonal. In sum, O-O is a standard move for Black in the French Defense, allowing them to prepare for the middlegame with a solid and secure position.

The move Be2 by White in response to Black's castling kingside aims to develop the bishop and connect White’s rooks. By completing development, White prepares for more aggressive moves in the center of the board. Additionally, this move supports the knight on e4 and solidifies White's control of the central squares. By placing the bishop on e2, White also gains the option of pushing their f-pawn forward and strengthening their pawn structure. Lastly, Be2 also clears the f1 square for the king's knight, preparing for White's future development and tactical possibilities. In sum, this move represents a key step in White’s opening strategy, building up their position for an attack on Black's position.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Alatortsev Variation, Black’s move Nc6 in response to White's Be2, aims to further develop their pieces and exert pressure on White‘s knight positioned at e4. By moving the knight, Black targets the central square d4 and lays the groundwork for an eventual pawn push to d4. This move also prepares for the possible exchange of knights on e4, which can reduce White's central control. Additionally, developing the knight opens up lines for Black’s bishop on c8, which can add pressure to the center of the board. Finally, Nc6 also potentially guards against tricks and tactics from White like possible pawn advances e5, f4, or g4 advances. In sum, Nc6 is an important move that enables Black to further enhance their position.