French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line is a chess opening with the ECO code C07, part of the French Defense family. It goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e6. After 20 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
2. d4 – White plays the pawn to d4
2... d5 – Black plays the pawn to d5
3. Nd2 – White plays the knight to d2
3... c5 – Black plays the pawn to c5
4. exd5 – White captures on d5 with the e-pawn
4... Qxd5 – Black takes on d5 with the queen
5. Ngf3 – White plays the knight to f3
5... cxd4 – Black captures on d4 with the c-pawn
6. Bc4 – White plays the bishop to c4
6... Qd6 – Black plays the queen to d6
The line goes on for 8 more moves; the lesson shows them all.
In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 11. Re1.
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