French Defense, Classical Variation, Burn Variation

The Burn Variation begins 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4. White's bishop on g5 creates a relative pin on the f6-knight: the knight may legally move, but doing so would expose the queen on d8. Black captures the e4-pawn and reduces the central tension, the still unresolved possibility that the central pawns will capture and transform the position.

The sequence is written in algebraic notation: squares such as e4 combine a column letter and row number; N means knight, B bishop, R rook, and Q queen; pawn moves normally show their destination, x marks a capture, and + marks check. Moves are read in pairs, White first and Black second; dots before a move shown alone indicate Black's turn.

After 5.Nxe4, White regains the pawn, so this line is not a gambit. Black commonly continues with 5...Be7. If White exchanges the bishop for the knight with 6.Bxf6, Black's choice of recapturing piece determines much of the position that follows.

Two common pawn arrangements

• With ...Bxf6, Black keeps an orderly pawn arrangement and may retain the bishop pair, meaning both bishops against an opponent who has already exchanged one.
• With ...gxf6, Black accepts doubled f-pawns, two friendly pawns on the same column, in return for central control and a g-column without a black pawn, which may give a rook useful activity.

White usually controls more central squares and gives the pieces greater freedom. White may bring the queen into play, use long castling, the special move that places the king on c1 and rook on d1, and attack if Black falls behind. Black aims to bring the pieces out and challenge White's central pawns with ...c5 or ...e5. Unlike the Fort Knox Variation, the Burn is reached after White's bishop has already gone to g5, so its relationship with the f6-knight is essential.