Theoria
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French Defense

Classical Variation, Pollock Variation

C14aggressiveoffbeat

  1. 1.e4e6
  2. 2.d4d5
  3. 3.Nc3Nf6
  4. 4.Bg5Be7
  5. 5.e5Nfd7
  6. 6.Bxe7Qxe7
  7. 7.Qg4
765 games55%41%

A sideline of the Classical French in which White plays 7. Qg4, bringing the queen to the kingside for an early piece attack; objectively balanced.

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About the Pollock Variation

The Pollock Variation, 7. Qg4, is an alternative to the usual 7. f4 in what was once the main line of the Classical French. White brings the queen straight to the kingside, hitting g7 and aiming for a quick piece attack against Black's king. Black most often replies 7...O-O, with 7...g6 and 7...f5 as the main alternatives. Engines consider the position balanced, but Black must defend accurately, and White scores well in practice.

Popular continuations