French Defence

Classical Steinitz Variation

After 4.e5 Nfd7, White plays the aggressive 5.f4, building a powerful pawn centre with d4-e5-f4 and preparing a kingside attack. Named after the first world champion Wilhelm Steinitz, this sharp treatment of the Classical demands precise play from Black, who must counter quickly with ...c5 and ...Nc6 before White's attack arrives.