The French Winawer

The Winawer Variation, named after Simon Winawer (1838–1919) who made his international debut in Paris 1967 playing this line against Steinitz. With the pin on the Nc3 initiated by 3...Bb4, Black has an immediate threat, capturing the e4-pawn. With the bishop move, Black declares his willingness to exchange his dark-squared bishop, but the movement of the bishop and its capture on c3 will significantly weaken black's kingside, notably g7 and the other dark-squares. In compensation, Black will ga…