"Winawer light!"

by ChessBase
5/11/2026 – The main line of the French Winawer Variation (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5) usually leads to very deep theoretical lines and complex positions with which Black is generally well acquainted. In the latest issue of ChessBase Magazine #231, Petra Papp presents the alternative 4.Nge2. After 4.e5 and the Delayed Exchange Variation 4.exd5, this continuation is already the third most common (over 9,000 games in the Mega Database 2026), so it is by no means a secret weapon anymore. In this week’s CBM preview, you can explore Petra Papp’s repertoire recommendation with all the analyses – discover “many wonderful, tricky variations” after 4.Nge2!
From the 2026 Candidates Tournament, featuring a video review by Dorian Rogozenco, to Jan Werle’s opening video on the French Tarrasch Defence, and Oliver Reeh’s tactical column ‘Top Grandmasters at Work’. Analyses by Giri, So, Wei Yi and many others.
ChessBase Magazine offers top-class training material for club players and professionals! World-class players analyse their finest games and explain the ideas behind the moves. Opening specialists present the latest trends in opening theory and exciting ideas for your repertoire. Master trainers in tactics, strategy and endgames show you exactly the tricks and techniques you need to become a successful tournament player! Available as a download (including the magazine as a PDF file) or as a printed magazine with a download key sent by post.
Included: CBM #231 as a “ChessBase Book” for iPad, tablet, Mac etc.! At books.chessbase.com

 

"Winawer light!" - free sample from CBM #231

"The French Winawer is an evergreen whose popularity remains unbroken. The variations can be quite complex, particularly after the main move 4.e5 which constitutes the main continuation. In this article, however, I want to focus on 4.Nge2!?, a very tricky line that involves a pawn sacrifice. White overprotects the knight on c3 and wants to play a2-a3 on the next move. I have experimented with this king's knight move many times in my practice, and it is one of my big favourites.

Click on the image to view the sample on books.chessbase.com

Since my analysis already starts on move 4, the article contains quite a lot of material (but still less than 4.e5, another big advantage of 4.Nge2!?). I have examined the critical positions in depth, highlighting the key ideas and patterns, and I have discovered many interesting lines that are full of dynamic possibilities. Objectively, Black can equalise, but there is a lot of play, making 4.Nge2!? a very nice weapon against the complicated Winawer!

Black has various ways to react. I will examine A) 4...Ne7, B) 4...Nf6, C) 4...Nc6 and D) 4...dxe4. ...

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... One of the major incentives of 4.Nge2 is that the material is about ten times smaller than with 4.e5, so you need to memorise much less. At the same time, there are many wonderful, tricky variations, as you can see in the selection of sample games. I wish you many victories with this smart alternative against the Winawer!"

The complete training programme from ChessBase Magazine #231 at a glance:

Clicking on the image loads a sample from the accompanying PDF file.

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