Theoria
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French Defense

Advance Variation, Lputian Variation

C02positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e6
  2. 2.d4d5
  3. 3.e5c5
  4. 4.c3Nc6
  5. 5.Nf3Qb6
  6. 6.a3Nh6
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A sideline of the French Advance in which Black meets 6. a3 with 6...Nh6, rerouting the knight to f5 to increase the pressure on d4.

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About the Lputian Variation

The Lputian Variation answers 6. a3 with 6...Nh6, sending the knight toward f5, where it joins the queen and c6-knight against d4. The capture 7. Bxh6 is regarded as dubious: 7...Qxb2 attacks the rook, Black takes back on h6 only after 8. Nbd2, and the g-file opens for counterplay. White normally prefers 7. b4, when 7...cxd4 8. cxd4 Nf5 reaches the intended square. The engine rates the position as roughly level.

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