The French Defense
Overview
The French Defense is a chess opening in which the following moves are played:
The idea behind the French Defense is that Black plays e6 to prepare to advance d7-d5, in order to immediately challenge White’s pawn on e4.
The French Defense is a solid but cunning opening, and it has been played by some of the greatest chess players in the world.
The French Defense can be divided into four major variations. White’s pawn on e4 is attacked, and there are four ways to defend it, which correspond to each of the variations.
The four major variations are:
- Advance Variation
- Exchange Variation
- Tarrasch Variation
- Main line (3.Nc3)
In the Advance Variation, White’s idea is to gain space in the center. By blocking Black’s pawns on light squares, the Bishop on c8 will have a hard time joining the game, and that is actually one of the main themes in the French Defense.
Although it has been more popular before, the Advance Variation is still seen as a solid, yet ambitious option against the French Defense.
In the Exchange Variation, White goes for the most solid and quiet system against the French Defense. The structure becomes symmetrical, unlike in all other variations of the French, so it is perfect for players who don’t know a lot of opening theory or who prefer strategic battles over tactical ones.
The Tarrasch Variation is very popular - although it is not as aggressive as the main line 3.Nc3, it offers chances for White to get a small advantage with safe play.
It is a good variation for solid players who are not into aggressive lines, but who do not like fully symmetrical positions like those that arise from the Exchange Variation.
In the main line of the French Defense, White protects the pawn on e4 by moving the Knight to c3. This leads to heavily theoretical lines, whether Black plays Bb4 (Winawer Variation) or Nf6 (Classical Variation).
Although you have to know a lot in order to be successful in the main line, it is very aggressive, tactical and ambitious, which means that it is perfect for players who enjoy this kind of fighting spirit.
What is The French Defense?
The French Defense is a chess opening that leads to semi-open games.
Black tries to establish a strong and supported center with e6-d5.
You can see what it looks like below.
How To Reach The French Defense
- First, White must move the King’s pawn two squares (1.e4).
- Then, Black replies by moving his King pawn one square only (1...e6).
- White takes over the center with the Queen’s pawn (2.d4).
- Black replies by trying to build a strong and supported center (2...d5).
Take a look at the moves below.
Why Play The French Defense
Learning the French Defense is a great time investment because it can be used at the amateur level all the way to the highest levels of chess.
Most White players are not well-prepared against the French Defense and find it difficult to get an advantage out of the opening at all.
Every move explained
Advance Variation
How To Reach It
The Advance Variation of the French Defense appears on the board after the following moves:
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- e5
You can see the moves here.
Why play the Advance Variation
The ideas behind the Advance Variation are very logical and typical of the French Defense.
White wants to gain space in the center and fix Black’s pawn structure in light squares, which will lock in Black’s Bishop on c8.
A long-term plan is to push f4-f5 in order to break apart Black’s solid central pawn structure and eventually start a Kingside attack.
It is an ambitious and aggressive variation, and, although it is not as popular as the Main Line and Tarrasch Variation, it shares many of the same ideas.
White's Moves
Expand on the Kingside with f4-f5
White wants to break Black’s pawn structure apart. The best way of doing so is to advance the f-pawn, to f4 and eventually to f5.
Besides creating tension in Black’s strong central setup, this move is also useful for a Kingside attack.
Play a3-b4 to challenge the pawn on c5
Usually, Black wants to play c5 to react in the center and create tension.
In order to force Black to make a decision, one of White’s plans is to expand on the Queenside with a3-b4, challenging the pawn on c5 to either take or advance.
This plan also gains space on the Queenside and creates room for the dark-squared Bishop to come to b2.
Black's moves
Challenge the center with c5
As in most variations of the French Defense, regardless of White’s setup, it is essential for Black to create pressure in the center.
The most effective way of doing so is by advancing c7-c5, creating tension in White’s d4 pawn. This move also creates room for the Knight to come to c6, from where it can also target White’s central pawns (d4 and e5).
Play Ne7-Nf5 to attack the d4 pawn
Together with the pawn on c5 and Knight on c6, Black’s other Knight can come to pressure White’s center.
To do this, he must go to the square f5 via e7. This might seem like a slow plan, but it is highly effective.
Exchange Variation
How To Reach It
The Exchange Variation appears on the board after the following moves.
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- exd5 exd5
You can see the moves here.
Why play the Exchange Variation
The Exchange Variation is a safe line to play against the French. White goes for a symmetrical structure right from the third move, which means that this variation leads to neutral positions.
For this reason, it is perfect to avoid heavy theory or tactical intricacies, and many strategic players choose it as their main weapon to face the French Defense.
White's Moves
Place a Knight on e5
Moving the Knight to a central square is a good idea in a symmetrical structure. The Knight controls many squares in the center, and Black may feel pressured to take it and give up the Bishop pair.
Play c4 to put pressure on d5
In order to break the symmetry and play for a win, White must try to put pressure on Black’s central pawn on d5.
The most straightforward way of doing so is by playing c2-c4.
Although this may lead to Isolated Queen Pawn positions, it’s a structural imbalance that Black may use in his favor.
Black's moves
Play c5 to put pressure on d4
Since the position is symmetrical, many of White’s plans are also good with colors reversed.
For this reason, one of Black’s main ideas is to break the symmetry himself and put pressure on White’s central pawn by playing c7-c5.
Play Bg4 to pin the Knight on f3
Since the pawn structure is symmetrical, the placement of pieces is especially important.
For this reason, Black should develop his light-squared Bishop as soon as possible, and preferably to an active square - the ideal one is g4, from where it pins the Knight on f3 and hinders White’s development.
Tarrasch Variation
How To Reach It
The Tarrasch Variation appears on the board after the following moves:
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nd2
You can see the moves here.
Why play the Tarrasch Variation
The Tarrasch Variation is solid, yet ambitious. It shares many plans with the main line (3.Nc3), although one of the main differences is that 3...Bb4 is not good for Black in the Tarrasch, because White can simply attack the Bishop with 4.c3.
This variation has a good reputation, and the positions it gives rise to are more often strategic than tactical and double-edged.
White's Moves
Gain space with e5
In most lines of the French Defense, White wants to gain a spatial advantage and lock in Black’s light-squared Bishop with the move e4-e5.
This is one of the main plans for White in the Tarrasch Variation.
Launch an attack with f4-f5
Similarly to the Advance Variation, one of the main plans for White once the pawn is on e5 is to try to break apart Black’s solid central structure by playing f4-f5. This is also useful in case White is planning on starting a Kingside attack.
Black's moves
Counter-attack in the center with c5
As in most lines of the French Defense, Black’s idea is to counter-attack in the center with c5. This is the natural breakthrough in Black’s position, and Black can either play it right away or wait for White to close the center with e5 first.
Play Nc6 and Qb6 to put pressure on d4
Together with the c7-c5 breakthrough, Black wants to put as much pressure as possible on White’s center. This can happen with the joint forces of the Knight, which goes to c6, and the Queen, which stands well on b6.
Main Line
How To Reach It
The Main line of the French Defense appears on the board after the following moves:
- e4 e6
- d4 d5
- Nc3
You can see the moves here.
Why play the Main line of the French Defense
3.Nc3 is the main move for White for a reason - it is a logical move, developing a piece and protecting the pawn on e4.
It is an ambitious and aggressive setup, full of tactical intricacies whether Black plays the Winawer Variation (3...Bb4) or the Classical Variation (3...Nf6).
There is a lot of theory in the main line of the French Defense, but it is widely recognized as the best way to neutralize the French with the White pieces.
White's Moves
Play e5 to gain space in the center
Again, as in most lines of the French Defense, a good idea for White is always to close the center and gain space with the move e4-e5.
Black’s light-squared Bishop on c8 will have a hard time joining the game after this move, as it will be locked in by Black’s own pawns on e6 and d5.
Play a3 to force the Bishop on b4 to move
The main move for Black against the Main line of the French Defense is to pin the Knight on c3 by playing Bb4.
This pin can disturb White’s position, so White should play a3 to expel the Bishop from b4 - whether the Knight is taken and White is forced to ruin the structure but has the Bishop pair in return, or the Bishop drops back and the move a3 can be useful to support the advance b2-b4 later on.
Play Bg5 to pin the Knight on f6
Black does not always play the Winawer Variation (3...Bb4) - the Classical Variation (3...Nf6) also enjoys great popularity.
In case Black plays this move, White should pin the Knight on f6 by playing Bg5, threatening to push e4-e5 and win a piece.
Black’s Moves
Play Bb4 to pin the Knight on c3
The main difference between 3.Nc3 and 3.Nd2 is that White cannot play c2-c3 anymore, which justifies the move 3...Bb4.
The pin can be very annoying for White, and eventually Black may take the Knight on c3 and play against the doubled pawns on c2 and c3.
React in the center with c5
A common theme in the French Defense, is for Black to put pressure on White’s center.
This plan is especially strong against the main line as White cannot protect the pawn on d4 with c2-c3.
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