French Variation, Westerinen Attack

The Westerinen Attack, 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. b3, takes its name from Heikki Westerinen, who tried it occasionally in the 1970s. Instead of opening the center with d4, White prepares Bb2, placing the dark-squared bishop on the long diagonal where it bears on d4, e5 and the black kingside without any early pawn exchange. The move is non-committal. White does not reveal a central setup in advance, and the plans that follow depend largely on how Black chooses to develop. It remains a rare independent try rather than a main line.

Black has several sound ways to proceed. The most frequent reply is 3...Nc6, heading for a Taimanov-style arrangement. 3...a6 adopts a Kan-type setup, and 3...d5 challenges e4 at once with the thematic central break. A queenside fianchetto of Black's own with ...b6, mirroring White's bishop, is also popular in practice. Results in online games are close to even, with White slightly ahead, and the engine considers the position balanced.