Chess Openings: French Defense

Category – Semi Open Game

Opening Move Sequence – 1 e4 e6

ECO Codes – C00 and C19

French Defense was so named after 1834 London vs. Paris correspondence match though the opening was documented much earlier. While not popular in nineteenth century and early twentieth century it has steadily gained ground and is at present one of the three most popular openings. It was unpopular earlier because it was thought restrict Black's mobility while giving a solid defensive position.

French Defense falls under the category of Semi-open Game openings that begin with 1 e4 without 1 ... e5. Its ECO codes range from C00 to B19.

Moves and Variations

1 e4 e6

This move gives Black a strong defensive position. Black also gain opportunities to launch counter attacks in the Queen-side while White will explore possibilities in the King-side.

2 d4 d5

These moves usually follow the first move in French Defense. By d4 White tries to ensure control of center and by d5 Black attacks the White's pawn on e4. Main variations of French Defense flow from White’s response at this point. 3 exd5 leads to Exchange Variation, 3 e5 to Advance Variation, 3 Nd2 to Tarrasch Variation, and Nc3 to mainline variations.

In many variations of French Defense, White's central pawns end up in d4 and e6, while Black pawns end up in e6 and d5. The main strategy for Black is to attack in the Queen-side against White's position, usually by advancing the c pawn and then even by advancing a and b pawns. Black may also attack the White center perhaps by playing f6 and by g5 if White's f pawn bolsters the center. By further advancing g pawn Black can try to chase the f3 Knight away. If f file becomes open after fxe5 Black can place the Rook in it and then exchange the Rook for Knight losing the exchange in order to destroy Whites' center. Black's main weakness is the c8 Bishop which cannot be developed because of pawn on e6. Usually Black has to bring it out via d7-a4 or d7-e8-g6 or h5.

White will try to launch a King-side attack aimed at mate. For instance 1 e4 e6, 2 d4 d5, 3 Nc3 Nf6, 4 Bg5 Be7, 5 e5 Nfd7, 6 Bxe7 Qxe7, 7 f4 0-0, 8 Nf3 c5, 9 Bd3. Or White can advance the King-side pawns by playing f4, g4, and f5 and sometimes by advancing the h pawn. In modern games White has also tried to cramp Black by advancing Queen-side pawns to a3 and b4.

Exchange Variation (3 exd5 exd5)

This once popular is no longer so, because it is considered rather unexciting and passive due to the continuing symmetry. White players choose this to obtain a quick draw. However Black can frustrate that objective. In order to win and break symmetry White will have to play c4 to attack d5 pawn. Another option to break symmetry is to castle on different wings.

Advance Variation (3 e5)

This was also popular in earlier times, then declined in popularity and is undergoing a revival. 3 ...c5, 4 c3 Nc6, 5 Nf3, is the main line in this variation. It can be followed usually by 5...Qb6, which can be responded to by 6 a3 or 6 Be2. Another respected and very old line branch off with 5 ... Bd7.

Tarrasch Variation (3 Nd2)

This is popular with players who want to accumulate small advantages without risk. Main line will continue 3 ... c5, 4.exd5 exd5, 5 Ngf3 Nc6, 6 Bb5 Bd6, 7 0-0 Nge7, 8 dxc5 Bxc5, 9 Nb3 Bb6 with slight advantage for White. Black's alternatives include 3 ... c5, 4 exd5 Qxd5!?, with the aim of exchanging pawns and gaining a slight positional advantage. Play may continue; 5 Ngf3 cxd4, 6 Bc4 Qd6, 7.0-0 Nf6, (blocking Ne4) 8 Nb3 Nc6, 9 Nbxd4 Nxd4.

Other possibilities are, 3 ... Nf6 to close the center, 3... Nc6 (Guimard Variation), and 3...Be7!?, with complications. Adventurous players can also try 3 ... h6?!, and 3...a6.

Main Line 3 Nc3

This is also popular and branch off into several variations 3 ... dxe4 (Rubinstein Variation), 3 ... Bb4 (Winawer Variation), and 3 ... Nf6 (Classical Variation). 3...Nc6!?, is a risky possibility as well.

Second move deviations

Both players can deviate from popular lines above by playing moves other than 2 d4 d5. These include 2 d3 d5 3 Nd2 (Similar to King's Indian Attack), 2 Qe2 (Chigorin Variation), 2 Nf3 d5 3 Nc3 (Two Knights' Variation), 2 d4 c5 (Franco-Benoni), and 2 d4 f5?! (Kingston Defense).

For More Chess Openings Click Here Chess Openings