Visit my Patreon page for extra daily content and training:
The Burn Variation is a great way for white to challenge the Classical French Defense, but it gives both sides enough attacking prospects and different middle game ideas.
Learn the basics of the French Defense, common variations & ideas for both sides in this introductory video:
The Exchange French:
The Tarrasch French:
The Winawer Variation:
The Rubinstein Variation:
The Steinitz Variation:
The Advance Variation:
The Burn Variation of the French occurs after the moves:
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Bg5
On move 4, black gets to choose the variation. Three most common options are:
4… dxe4 Burn Variation, which can branch out on moves 5 and 6
5… Be7
6… gxf6
6… Bxf6
5… Nbd7
4… Bb4 MacCutcheon Variation, a very straightforward variation which can easily be memorized and applied
4… Be7 Classical Variation, Normal Variation
6. Bxe7
6. h4 Alekhine-Chatard Attack
Study the variations from the games of Alexander Morozevich. He is one of the strongest players ever to have played (and helped develop) the theory in these lines.