Henneberger Variation
- 1.e4e6
- 2.d4d5
- 3.Nc3Nf6
- 4.Be3
1,460 games
A rare Classical French sideline, 4. Be3, that develops the bishop without pinning the f6-knight; Black usually replies by capturing on e4.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Henneberger Variation
The Henneberger Variation is an uncommon deviation from the Classical French. White meets 3...Nf6 with 4. Be3 instead of the usual 4. Bg5 or 4. e5. The bishop protects d4, but it neither pins the f6-knight nor adds a defender to e4, so Black can capture there. 4...dxe4 is the most frequent reply, and 4...Nxe4 and 4...Bb4 are the main alternatives. Engines give Black a slight edge, although White scores well in online games.