French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C11), reached after 8 half-moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4.

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5.Nxe4 2 lines
- C11 Main Line
- C11 Morozevich Line

About this opening

French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C11. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 8 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4.

It belongs to the French Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Classical Variation → Burn Variation line). The immediate parent line is French Defense: Classical Variation, transitioned via 4…dxe4.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e6, 2.d4 d5, 3.Nc3 Nf6, 4.Bg5 dxe4. From this position exactly one named continuation is recorded in the encyclopaedia.