French Defense: Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation, Schwarz's Line

The opening move 1. e4 allows White to control the center of the board and potentially gain an advantage in the early stages of the game. By playing 2. d4, White continues to push their pawns forward, forcing Black to make decisions early on. With 3. Nc3, White develops their knight and also puts pressure on Black's e6 pawn. The move 4. Bd2 may seem counterintuitive, but it allows White to blunder with 4...Bxd2+ 5. Qxd2 dxe4, as the queen will have to recapture, temporarily taking White's light squared bishop out of the game. Finally, 5. Nb1 seems to be a unique and rather unusual move, but its purpose is to allow White to play a later c2-c4 rather than c2-c3, which would block the d4 pawn and give Black more control in the center.

Black's move e6 is a solid response to White's e4, as it immediately contests control of the central squares on d5 and f5 while supporting Black's own pawn on d5. By playing e6, Black aims to control the center and restrict the movement of White's pieces, particularly the knight on c3. Additionally, since e6 helps prepare for Black's light-squared bishop to enter the game, it can also contribute to a solid defense. In sum, e6 is a flexible and versatile move that can be employed in various openings and situations.

White's move d4 is an aggressive approach to the position after 1. e4 e6. By occupying the center of the board with two pawns, White seeks to gain control and limit the activity of Black's pieces. The pawn on d4 also supports White's knight on c3, further establishing control over the important square on e4. White's move, if not challenged, can lead to a strong and flexible pawn structure that can be used to launch an attack or put pressure on Black's position. In sum, d4 is a common and effective move that sets the tone for much of the early game in many chess openings.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation, Schwarz's Line, Black's move d5 is a key element of their strategy. By striking at White's central pawn, Black aims to challenge White's control of the center and create counterplay. Additionally, advancing the d-pawn allows Black's pieces, particularly the light-squared bishop, to enter the game more easily and gain space. By exchanging pawns in the center, Black seeks to equalize the position and limit White's options. In sum, d5 is a crucial move in the French Defense that can lead to varied and complex positions.

White's move Nc3 after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 is a natural development move that helps control the central squares and prepare for future attacks. By developing the knight, White not only puts pressure on Black's e6 pawn but also supports the d4 pawn. In some variations, Nc3 can also prepare for a later pawn push to c4 or d5. Additionally, the knight on c3 is well placed to threaten Black's pieces and provide support to White's advancing pawns. In sum, Nc3 is a useful and flexible move that sets the stage for many different variation possibilities in the French Defense.

Black's move Bb4 after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 challenges White's control of the center. The bishop pins White's knight on c3, making it difficult for White to develop their pieces and control key squares. By playing Bb4, Black also adds pressure to White's d4 pawn and gains space in the center. In some variations, the bishop may be exchanged for White's c3 knight, leading to doubled pawns for White and weakening their pawn structure. In sum, Bb4 is a common and effective move in the French Defense that can create dynamic and tactical positions.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation, Schwarz's Line, White's move Bd2 after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 may seem like a passive move, but it actually has a specific purpose. Black threatens to exchange the bishop on b4 for White's knight on c3, which could open up the d-file and give Black control of the center. By playing Bd2, White prepares to recapture with their bishop instead of their queen, avoiding the lost tempo that would result from the queen recapturing on d2. Also, the bishop on d2 can support White's pawn push to c3, which can help control the d4 square and create more space. In some variations, the bishop on d2 may also help defend White's king or prepare for castling. In sum, Bd2 is a useful and often necessary move in the Winawer Variation that can help White consolidate their position and establish control of key squares.

Black's move Ne7 after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 is a useful maneuver that helps Black reposition their knight and gain more control of the central squares. By playing Ne7, Black avoids exchanging their bishop for White's knight on c3 and instead prepares to reroute their knight to f5 or d6. In some variations, the knight can also be used to help defend Black's king or support a potential pawn push to d4. Additionally, by moving the knight off the c6 square, Black frees up their queen's knight for future development. In sum, Ne7 is a flexible move that allows Black to adjust to White's position and create their own counterplay in the center.

White's move Nb1 after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 Ne7 may seem like an odd choice, but it serves an important role in the development and strategy of the position. By retreating the knight to b1, White prepares for a potential pawn push to c4, which can help control the d5 square and limit Black's counterplay. Additionally, the knight on b1 can also be redeployed to d2 or c3, providing support to White's central pawns and exerting pressure on Black's position. The move Nb1, in some cases, can also be used to prepare for a kingside attack or to better defend White's position. In sum, while seemingly unorthodox, the move Nb1 has its own set of benefits and uses in the Winawer Variation.