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French Defence

You play Black. It starts 1.e4 e6.

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The French Defence after 1.e4 e6

The French Defence (1...e6 and 2...d5) builds a strong pawn chain and fights White's centre from the side. It is solid and full of counter-play, a favourite of patient players. The light-squared bishop behind the e6 pawn is the problem piece to solve.

The course is built from 1,55,039 games of the French Defence by strong players in Chess Castles' database: the lines below are the ones they really play, with the score Black made in each.

The first moves, one by one

  1. 1.e4 It takes a centre square (e4). It opens a line for the queen on d1. It opens a line for the bishop on f1.
  2. 1...e6 It controls the centre (d5). It opens a line for the queen on d8. It opens a line for the bishop on f8.

Advance Variation (3.e5)

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5

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French Defence: Advance Variation (3.e5)

Move by move

  1. 2.d4 It takes a centre square (d4). It opens a line for the bishop on c1. It opens a line for the queen on d1.
  2. 2...d5 It takes a centre square (d5). It opens a line for the queen on d8. It challenges the opponent's pawns. It attacks the pawn on e4.
  3. 3.e5 It takes a centre square (e5). It gains space.

Plans for Black

  • Against 3.e5 hit the base of White's chain with ...c5, then ...Nc6 and ...Qb6 to press on d4.
  • Later ...f6 can attack the e5 pawn too and open the f-file for your rook.
  • Watch out: White has space on the kingside: do not castle there too early if White can attack with h4 and Qg4.

Main line (3.Nc3)

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3

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French Defence: Main line (3.Nc3)

Move by move

  1. 2.d4 It takes a centre square (d4). It opens a line for the bishop on c1. It opens a line for the queen on d1.
  2. 2...d5 It takes a centre square (d5). It opens a line for the queen on d8. It challenges the opponent's pawns. It attacks the pawn on e4.
  3. 3.Nc3 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (e4, d5).

Plans for Black

  • Against 3.Nc3 the Winawer (3...Bb4) pins the knight and fights for e4; 3...Nf6 is the calmer Classical choice.
  • Whatever White does, ...c5 is the main break, and ...f6 the second.

Tarrasch Variation (3.Nd2)

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2

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French Defence: Tarrasch Variation (3.Nd2)

Move by move

  1. 2.d4 It takes a centre square (d4). It opens a line for the bishop on c1. It opens a line for the queen on d1.
  2. 2...d5 It takes a centre square (d5). It opens a line for the queen on d8. It challenges the opponent's pawns. It attacks the pawn on e4.
  3. 3.Nd2 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (e4).

Plans for Black

  • Against 3.Nd2 play 3...c5 or 3...Nf6: the d2 knight does not press on d5, so Black can free the game quickly.
  • An isolated d-pawn for Black is common after ...c5: it gives active pieces, so keep them active.

Exchange Variation (3.exd5)

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5

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French Defence: Exchange Variation (3.exd5)

Move by move

  1. 2.d4 It takes a centre square (d4). It opens a line for the bishop on c1. It opens a line for the queen on d1.
  2. 2...d5 It takes a centre square (d5). It opens a line for the queen on d8. It challenges the opponent's pawns. It attacks the pawn on e4.
  3. 3.exd5 It captures the pawn on d5. It takes a centre square (d5). It gains space. It challenges the opponent's pawns.

Plans for Black

  • After 3.exd5 exd5 the pawns are equal and your c8 bishop is free: develop it quickly to g4 or f5.
  • Develop the pieces actively; a quiet game but Black is never worse.

Other replies

  • Against other White moves stay with ...d5 and ...c5: the French structure works against almost everything.
  • Find a good square for the c8 bishop, often via d7 to b5, or after ...b6 to a6.

How each line scores

LineMovesGamesBlack scores
3.Nc3 · Paulsen Variation1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc362,79444%
3.Nd2 · Tarrasch Variation1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd245,48443%
3.e5 · Advance Variation1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e515,70147%
2.d3 · King's Indian Attack1.e4 e6 2.d310,87846%
4.Nf3 · Exchange Variation1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf34,41051%
2.Nf3 · Knight Variation1.e4 e6 2.Nf33,35450%
4.Bd3 · Exchange Variation1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Bd32,74158%
2.Qe2 · Chigorin Variation1.e4 e6 2.Qe22,60443%

The score counts a win as 1 and a draw as ½, from Black's side, in games between strong players.

On the board: the course (plans, model games, puzzles from real games of the opening), and the opening trainer, which drills the moves until you know them (a free account keeps your progress).

More openings: Caro-Kann Defence, Jobava London, Chebanenko Slav, Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, Queen's Gambit, London System, Sicilian Najdorf, King's Indian Defence, Queen's Gambit Declined.