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French Defense

Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation

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  1. 1.e4e6
  2. 2.d4d5
  3. 3.Nc3Bb4
  4. 4.Ne2dxe4
  5. 5.a3Bxc3+
  6. 6.Nxc3Nc6
353 games45%45%

Black's 6...Nc6 in the Winawer's Alekhine Gambit, keeping the extra e4-pawn and putting quick pressure on d4 in a roughly balanced, double-edged game.

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About the Kan Variation

The Kan Variation is Black's choice of 6...Nc6 in the Alekhine Gambit of the Winawer, after 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3. Black keeps the extra e4-pawn and develops with immediate pressure on d4. White most often pins with 7. Bb5, a line in which Black has scored well. The advance 7. d5, which harasses the knight, has given White better results, and 7. Bf4 is the third option. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.

Popular continuations