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, Lasker Variation
C12 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3
French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation
C12 16 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 g6
French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Tartakower Variation
C12 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Nfd7
French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack
C13 11 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Albin-Chatard Gambit
C13 14 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5
French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Breyer Variation
C13 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 c5
French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Maróczy Variation
C13 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 a6
French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Spielmann Variation
C13 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 O-O
French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Teichmann Variation
C13 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 f6
French Defense: Classical Variation
C13 10 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7
French Defense: Classical Variation, Frankfurt Variation
C13 12 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Ng8 6. Be3 b6
French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation
C13 8 plies
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7
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