Theoria
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French Defense

Winawer Variation, Petrosian Variation

C16offbeatpositional

  1. 1.e4e6
  2. 2.d4d5
  3. 3.Nc3Bb4
  4. 4.e5Qd7
527 games43%50%

A rare Winawer French sideline in which Black meets 4. e5 with 4...Qd7, delaying the usual ...c5 break against White's advanced center.

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About the Petrosian Variation

The Petrosian Variation answers 4. e5 in the Winawer with 4...Qd7 instead of the standard 4...c5. Black delays the attack on the base of White's pawn chain and keeps the bishop on b4 for the moment. It is a seldom-seen sideline. The most frequent reply is 5. a3, which questions the bishop at once, ahead of 5. Qg4 and 5. Bd2. The engine gives White a slight edge, although Black has scored well in online games.

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