French Defense

French Defense is a chess opening with the ECO code C00. It goes 1. e4 e6. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e6. After 2 moves it is White to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.

The moves

• 1. e4 – White plays the pawn to e4
• 1... e6 – Black plays the pawn to e6

In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 2. d4.

About the French Defense

Black answers 1.e4 with 1...e6 and then ...d5, attacking White's centre. Black accepts a little less space for a very solid position.

• If White plays e5, pawn chains form: White attacks on the kingside, Black on the queenside.
• Black hits the chain at its base with ...c5 and adds pressure with ...Nc6 and ...Qb6.
• The light-squared bishop on c8 is often passive; Black may trade it or free it with ...b6 and ...Ba6.

chessGM has a full course for this line: open the French Defense course lesson.

Related openings

• It extends: King's Pawn Game (1. e4)
• Continues with: French Defense: Banzai-Leong Gambit – adds 2. b4
• Continues with: French Defense: Bird Invitation – adds 2. Bb5
• Continues with: French Defense: Chigorin Variation – adds 2. Qe2
• Continues with: French Defense: Horwitz Attack – adds 2. b3
• Continues with: French Defense: King's Indian Attack – adds 2. d3
• Continues with: French Defense: Knight Variation – adds 2. Nf3
• Continues with: French Defense: La Bourdonnais Variation – adds 2. f4
• Continues with: French Defense: Normal Variation – adds 2. d4
• Related line: French Defense (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5)
• Related line: French Defense: Alapin Gambit (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Be3)
• Related line: French Defense: Baeuerle Gambit (1. e4 e6 2. d4 b5)
• Related line: French Defense: Banzai-Leong Gambit (1. e4 e6 2. b4)
• Related line: French Defense: Banzai-Leong Gambit, Pinova Gambit (1. e4 e6 2. b4 Bxb4 3. e5)
• Related line: French Defense: Bird Invitation (1. e4 e6 2. Bb5)

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