Opening Overview
French Defense
211 linesAbout 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: Advance Variation, Milner-Barry Gambit, Hector Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. O-O Bd7 8. Re1
French Defense: Advance Variation, Milner-Barry Gambit, Main Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Bd7 8. O-O
French Defense: Advance Variation, Milner-Barry Gambit, Sørensen Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Bd7 8. O-O Nxd4 9. Ng5
French Defense: Advance Variation, Nimzowitsch Attack
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Qg4
French Defense: Advance Variation, Nimzowitsch Gambit
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Qg4 cxd4 5. Nf3
French Defense: Advance Variation, Nimzowitsch System
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3
French Defense: Advance Variation, Paulsen Attack
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3
French Defense: Advance Variation, Ruisdonk Gambit
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Bd3
French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. dxc5
French Defense: Advance Variation, Wade Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Qb6 5. Nf3 Bd7
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Guimard Defense
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6