French Defense
ECO C00 · French Defense · solid · intermediate
The French Defense (C00) is a solid chess opening in the French Defense family, played by Black. It arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5. Solid defense contesting the center with d5. Asymmetric pawn structure. Recommended for intermediate players.
Moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
About this opening
After 1...e6 and 2...d5, Black builds a solid pawn chain and challenges White's center immediately. The price is the c8 bishop, temporarily locked behind its own pawns: the entire strategy of the French Defense revolves around freeing or trading this piece. White chooses between the space-gaining Advance Variation, the sharp Winawer with 3.Nc3 Bb4, and the quieter Tarrasch with 3.Nd2. Botvinnik and Korchnoi used the French throughout their careers, demonstrating how Black's counter-strikes ...c5 and ...f6 can dismantle an overextended white center.