French - Steinitz attack

The French Steinitz Attack is a chess opening that arises from the French Defence, which begins with the moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5. The Steinitz Attack specifically begins with 3.e5, named after the first World Chess Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz.

Here are some reasons why to play the French Steinitz Attack:

1. Space Advantage: By advancing the e-pawn to e5, white immediately gains a space advantage in the center, cramping black's position.

2. Simplicity: Compared to other variations of the French Defence, the Steinitz Attack is relatively simple and straightforward. It doesn't require as much memorization of complex lines.

3. King Safety: The e5 pawn can often be supported by a pawn on f4, creating a strong pawn center and providing a safe haven for the white king after castling kingside.

4. Classical Structure: The Steinitz Attack leads to classical pawn structures, which can be beneficial for players who prefer to play positions with clear strategic themes.

However, there are also reasons why to avoid the French Steinitz Attack:

1. Less Ambitious: Compared to other variations like the French Tarrasch or the French Winawer, the Steinitz Attack is considered less ambitious. White is not immediately trying to refute black's position, but rather to build a solid position.

2. Slow Development: The early advance of the e-pawn can slow down white's development, as the knight on g1 and the bishop on f1 are temporarily blocked in.

3. Black's Solid Structure: The French Defence in general gives black a very solid pawn structure, and the Steinitz Attack doesn't put immediate pressure on this structure.

4. Black's Counterplay: If black plays accurately, they can often generate enough counterplay to balance out white's space advantage.

In conclusion, the French Steinitz Attack is a solid choice for players who prefer to play positions with clear strategic themes and a space advantage, but it may not be the best choice for players who prefer more aggressive or tactical positions. As with any chess opening, it's important to study the typical plans and strategies for both sides to fully understand the positions that can arise.