Burn and McCutcheon Variations of the French Defense ⎸Chess Openings

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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: youtu.be/pig559oP5OM

The Exchange French: youtu.be/YlA3heOMMN0
The Tarrasch French: youtu.be/IGS68T5FmvM
The Winawer Variation: youtu.be/NWFL6b38BUQ
The Rubinstein Variation: youtu.be/THkLmg9vmv0
The Steinitz Variation: youtu.be/PuI4MWpDe2U
The Advance Variation: youtu.be/plgs6rbCMjE

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.