Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Smyslov Variation
- 1.e4e6
- 2.d4d5
- 3.Nc3Bb4
- 4.e5Ne7
- 5.a3Bxc3+
- 6.bxc3c5
- 7.a4
253 games
A positional Winawer line in which White answers the doubled c-pawn structure with 7. a4, preparing Ba3 and curbing Black's queenside counterplay.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Smyslov Variation
The Smyslov Variation arises from the 4...Ne7 move order, and after 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 White plays 7. a4 instead of turning to the kingside. The move prepares Ba3 to use the dark squares left by Black's missing bishop, stops ...Qa5-a4 or ...Bd7-a4 against c2, and meets ...b6 with a5. Smyslov and Fischer both employed it successfully. Black most often replies 7...Qa5, with 7...Nbc6 and 7...Qc7 also common, and the engine sees approximate balance.