French Defence

ECO C00–C19 · Level: Intermediate · Also known as: French, Winawer, Tarrasch

The French Defence (1.e4 e6) builds a solid pawn chain and strikes at the centre later. It is strategic and resilient.

Position at the end of the main line

Main line

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5

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History

It takes its name from the Paris team's use of it in an 1834 London–Paris correspondence match. It was the main defence of Botvinnik, Korchnoi and Uhlmann.

White's plan

  • Gain space with e5 and attack on the kingside (Advance Variation).
  • Black's c8 bishop is often a 'bad bishop' behind its own pawns, which White exploits.

Black's plan

  • Hit White's pawn chain at the base and head with ...c5 and ...f6.
  • Solve the bad-bishop problem with ...b6-Ba6 or ...Bd7-b5.

Key variations

Classical (4.Bg5)

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bxe7 Qxe7

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Who should play it?

For patient Black players who understand structures and like to wait for the right moment to counter-attack.

Frequently asked questions

What is the French's main problem?

The c8 bishop gets locked behind its own pawns, so activating it is a recurring theme.

What is the easiest system for White against the French?

The Advance Variation (3.e5) offers clear plans and little theory.

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Related openings

  • Caro-Kann Defence — The Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6) supports ...d5 with c6 to build a very solid centre while keeping the light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain.
  • Sicilian Defence — The Sicilian Defence (1.e4 c5) contests the centre from the flank with the c-pawn, creating unbalanced positions with real winning chances.
  • Queen's Gambit — The Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) offers the c-pawn to lure Black's d5 pawn away from the centre.

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