Opening Overview

French Defense

211 lines
black repertoire

About This Opening

Black challenges the center with a compact pawn chain and counterpunching chances.

These structures usually reward accurate development, good piece coordination, and patience before committing to pawn breaks.

The practical edge often comes from knowing the main pawn structures and where each side wants counterplay, rather than memorizing long forcing lines.

Key ideas
  • Typical theme: sound structure and flexible plans.
  • Most plans revolve around piece activity and pawn breaks at the right moment.
  • Best for players who want reliable positions and clear structure.
  • Learn the standard middlegame plans, not just the first moves.

Choose a variation

French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Wolf Gambit
C15 9 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 Nf6 5. Bg5
French Defense: Winawer Variation
C15 6 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit Accepted
C15 10 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Alatortsev Variation
C15 16 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6. Nxe4 Nf6 7. N2g3 O-O 8. Be2 Nc6
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine Gambit, Kan Variation
C15 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Nxc3 Nc6
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Alekhine-Maróczy Gambit
C15 7 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Delayed Exchange Variation
C15 7 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Exchange Variation, Canal Attack
C15 11 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 Ne7 6. Qh5
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation
C15 7 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation, Kunin Double Gambit
C15 10 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 dxe4 5. Qg4 Qxd4
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation, Main Line
C15 13 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 dxe4 5. Qg4 Nf6 6. Qxg7 Rg8 7. Qh6
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation, Schwarz's Line
C15 9 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 Ne7 5. Nb1
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