French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation

French Defense is a popular opening played by black in response to white's first move e4. In Winawer variation, Black pins the knight at c3 with the bishop at b4, forcing white to play the move e5 to prevent the bishop from attacking the knight. The move e5 creates a pawn chain with d4 and c3 pawns. The idea behind the move e5 is to control more space in the center, limiting black's options, and opening lines for the light-square bishop at c1. By playing Nf3, white develops a piece and prepares to castle kingside. This move also puts pressure on the e5 pawn, making it harder for black to develop their pieces.

Black plays the move e6 in response to white's first move e4 to control the square d5 and prevent white's pawn from advancing further. This move also prepares to develop the light-square bishop to b7 or d7, and the knight to f6, forming a strong pawn structure in the center. Playing e6 also limits white's option to attack with the pawn at d4 and forces white to play a slower game. Additionally, this move protects the king's pawn, making it difficult for white to create a pawn storm in the center.

White plays the move d4 after black's e6, to occupy the center with a pawn and open up lines for the light-square bishop on c1. This move also attacks the black pawn on e6, with the possibility of creating a pawn chain with c3 and e5. Playing d4 also prepares for the development of the knight at c3 and the queen on d1. This move can also lead to an open game, where both sides can bring their pieces out quickly, or a closed game, where white can establish control in the center.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation, Black plays the move d5 after white's d4. This move allows black to control the central square and gain space in the center. It also attacks the e4 pawn, disrupting white's central control and forcing white to either retreat the pawn or exchange it. Playing d5 also prepares for the development of black's light-square bishop and knight on c6. This move can also lead to an exchange variation, where white captures the d5 pawn and black recaptures with the e pawn, creating a pawn structure with isolated pawns.

White plays the move Nc3 after black's d5, to develop a piece and place pressure on the black pawn controlling the center. This move also prepares for the possibility of establishing a pawn chain with c3 and e5, creating more space and opening up lines. The knight on c3 can also attack the d5 pawn, making it difficult for black to maintain the pawn in the center. Playing Nc3 can also lead to an exchange variation, where white captures the d5 pawn and black recaptures with the c pawn, creating a pawn structure with pawns on c and e files. Additionally, this move supports the pawn on e4, making it harder for black to attack with f6 or g5.

Black plays the move Bb4 after white's Nc3, to put pressure on the knight and gain control of the d4 square. This move also disrupts white's development by attacking the knight before white can relocate it. Playing Bb4 also prepares for the possibility of exchanging the knight on c3, which can weaken white's control over the center. This move can also limit white's options of developing the light-square bishop or the queen, forcing white to make another move with the knight or the d4 pawn. Additionally, this move can open up the c-file for black's rook and support the advance of the c pawn.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation, white plays the move e5 after black's Bb4, to prevent the bishop from attacking the knight on c3 and to establish a strong pawn center. This move allows white to control more space in the center and limit black's options. It also opens up lines for the white light-square bishop and queen, making it easier for white to develop pieces. Playing e5 can also lead to an open game, where both sides can bring their pieces out quickly, or a closed game, where white can establish control in the center. Additionally, this move can create a pawn chain with d4 and c3 pawns, providing additional support for the knight on c3.

Black plays the move c5 after white's e5, to challenge the control of the d4 square and create a counterattack in the center. This move also supports the light-square bishop, which can be developed to b7 or d7, exerting pressure on the weakened pawn structure around the white king. Playing c5 can also lead to an open game, where both sides have the opportunity to bring their pieces into the play quickly. Additionally, this move can disrupt white's pawn chain and create a weakness on d4, which can be exploited by black in the future. Playing c5 also prepares for the development of the knight on c6 and can lead to the exchange of a central pawn for a side pawn.

White plays the move a3 after black's c5, to force the bishop on b4 to retreat or exchange. This move also prevents black from retreating the bishop to a5 and exchanging it for the white knight on c3. Playing a3 can also create a weakness of the pawn on b3, which can be exploited by black's pieces. This move can also limit black's mobility and prevent the development of the knight on d7, which can be critical in controlling the center. Additionally, playing a3 can provide more space for the white king, making it harder for black to launch any kingside attacks. This move can also protect the pawn on b2 in case the bishop retreats to b6.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation, black plays the move Bxc3+ after white's a3, to exchange the bishop for the knight on c3, which can be useful in controlling the center and attacking on the kingside. This move also forces white to recapture the bishop with a pawn, creating isolated pawns on b2 and d4, or with the queen, which can lead to the loss of time and the development of black's pieces. Playing Bxc3+ also opens up the b-file for black's rook, potentially creating pressure on the b2 pawn and threatening to occupy the b-file. Additionally, this move can limit white's options of developing the knight on f3 and force white into the less desirable defensive position. This move can also pave the way for the knight on d7 to be developed.

White plays the move bxc3 after black's Bxc3+, to recapture the bishop with a pawn. This move avoids the isolation of the pawns on b2 and d4, which can be exploited by black's pieces by bringing pressure on the pawn structure around the white king. Playing bxc3 also prepares for the development of the knight on d2 or f3, creating an additional defender in the center. This move can also provide a semi-open b-file for both sides, where white can place a rook or the queen and pressure the b7 pawn, while black can place a rook and pressure the b2 pawn. Additionally, playing bxc3 can limit black's pawn structure options on the c-file, paving the way for the knight on d2 to be developed.

Black plays the move Ne7 after white's bxc3, to develop the knight and prepare for castle kingside. This move also puts pressure on the d5 pawn, making it harder for white to maintain control of the center. Playing Ne7 can also prepare for a future attack on the kingside with f6 and g5. Additionally, this move supports the pawn on d5, making it difficult for white to exchange it without getting the isolated pawns, which can create a weakness in the pawn structure. This move also provides a potential defender for the king, which can come in handy in the endgame. Finally, playing Ne7 can create a possibility of supporting the light-square bishop from f8 to g7, creating pressure on the pawn structure in the center and the pawn on e5.

In the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Positional Variation, white plays the move Nf3 after black's Ne7, to develop a piece and prepare castle kingside. This move also supports the pawn on e5, making it more difficult for black to exchange it and creating a stronghold in the center. The knight on f3 can also put pressure on the d5 pawn, making it harder for black to maintain control of the center. Playing Nf3 can also create the possibility of exchanging the knight on c3 with the bishop on b4, creating an imbalance in the position. Additionally, this move limits black's possibilities of attacking on the kingside with f6 and g5. The move Nf3 can also prepare for the development of the light-square bishop, which can be placed on e3 or d2, putting pressure on the black pawn structure and opening up lines for the rooks.