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: Morphy Gambit
C00 5 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nh3
French Defense: Normal Variation
C00 3 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4
French Defense: Orthoschnapp Gambit
C00 7 plies
1. e4 e6 2. c4 d5 3. cxd5 exd5 4. Qb3
French Defense: Pelikan Variation
C00 5 plies
1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. f4
French Defense: Perseus Gambit
C00 5 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3
French Defense: Queen's Knight
C00 3 plies
1. e4 e6 2. Nc3
French Defense: Reversed Philidor Formation
C00 9 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. Be2
French Defense: Réti-Spielmann Attack
C00 3 plies
1. e4 e6 2. g3
French Defense: Schlechter Variation
C00 5 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3
French Defense: St. George Defense
C00 4 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 a6
French Defense: St. George Defense, Sanky-George Gambit
C00 6 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 a6 3. c4 b5
French Defense: St. George Defense, St. George Gambit
C00 8 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 a6 3. c4 b5 4. cxb5 axb5
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