French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4

ECO C11

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation is a chess opening line in the French Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4.

It is catalogued under code C11 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move dxe4 is chosen by Black on move 4.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Main Line and the Morozevich Line.

Named variations

• French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Main Line — ECO C11
• French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Morozevich Line — ECO C11

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the French with 3.Nc3 course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.