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French Defense

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5

A solid, resilient defense where Black allows White a bigger center in exchange for a sturdy pawn chain and counterplay.

Fun fact: The French Defense is named after an 1834 correspondence match between London and Paris, in which Jacques Chamouillet persuaded the Paris team to adopt it. Source

Practice this opening

The idea

Black answers 1.e4 with 1...e6 and 2...d5, challenging the e4 pawn with a pawn supported from behind. If White pushes e5, the pawns lock into chains, White's pointing at Black's kingside and Black's at White's queenside.

The price is the bishop on c8, which is shut in behind the e6 pawn. It is so typical of this opening that players call it the "French bishop". Black's play revolves around the pawn breaks ...c5 and ...f6, which attack White's chain and free Black's pieces.

White's main choices at move 3 are 3.Nc3, 3.Nd2 (the Tarrasch), 3.e5 (the Advance) and 3.exd5 (the Exchange).

Plans for White

Keep the space advantage. After e5, White's chain on d4 and e5 cramps Black's kingside, and White often attacks there with pieces and pawns. Support d4, because it is the base of the chain and Black's main target.

Plans for Black

Strike at the base of White's chain with ...c5, and later at its head with ...f6. Pressure on d4 from the queen on b6, a knight on c6 and a knight on f5 is a typical setup. Find a good role for the light-squared bishop, or trade it.

Watch out for

For Black, a famous trap in the Advance Variation. After 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3 cxd4 7.cxd4, grabbing the pawn with 7...Nxd4?? loses the queen: 8.Nxd4 Qxd4 9.Bb5+, and the bishop moving away from d3 uncovers White's queen against Black's. After Black blocks the check, 10.Qxd4.

For White, overextending. If the d4 pawn falls, White's whole center falls with it, and Black's pieces get the squares White gave up.

The discovered attack on d4

3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Nxd4 8.Nxd4 Qxd4 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Qxd4

History

Among the most important contributors to the theory of the French are Mikhail Botvinnik, Viktor Korchnoi, Tigran Petrosian and Wolfgang Uhlmann.

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