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: Winawer Variation, Kondratiyev Variation
C15 11 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd3 c5 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Bd2
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Winckelmann-Reimer Gambit
C15 11 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 dxe4 6. f3
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
C16 7 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Petrosian Variation
C16 8 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Qd7
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
C17 8 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
C17 9 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation
C17 13 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 cxd4 6. axb4 dxc3 7. Nf3
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Advance Variation, Moscow Variation
C17 9 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. Qg4
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Bogoljubow Variation
C17 9 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. Bd2
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Bogoljubow Variation, Icelandic Defense
C17 11 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. Bd2 Ne7 6. f4
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Maróczy-Wallis Variation
C17 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 cxd4 6. axb4 dxc3
French Defense: Winawer Variation, Retreat Variation
C17 10 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Ba5
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