French Defense

The French Defense begins with 1.e4 e6 and normally continues 2.d4 d5. In algebraic notation, e6 and d5 are the destination squares of Black's pawns. Instead of occupying the center with ...e5, Black prepares ...d5 to attack White's e4-pawn.

When White advances e5, a pawn chain often forms, meaning several pawns connected diagonally. White's e5-d4 chain gives space, or more usable squares behind the pawns, but it also creates targets. Black commonly attacks the base on d4 with ...c5 and, in some positions, the head on e5 with ...f6.

The pawn chain and its breaks

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Starte4e6d4d5e5c5

Starting position

The sequence shows a common way for the center to close in the French Defense.

Black's main practical difficulty is the c8-bishop, initially blocked by the e6-pawn. In return, the pawn structure is resilient and offers counterplay, meaning active threats of Black's own against White's center. White often has more space on the kingside, the side where the king begins, while Black tries to open the center or play on the queenside, the side where the queen begins.

Pressure and a difficult piece to develop

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The queen on b6 points at the pawn on b2.

Black's play has two sides

In this representative position, Black pressures White's pawns while still needing to find a role for the bishop on c8.

1. The queen on b6 points at the pawn on b2.
2. The c5-pawn attacks the base of White's pawn chain on d4.
3. The bishop on c8 is still restricted by Black's own e6-pawn.

White's main choices

• Advance Variation: 3.e5 gains space and closes the center.
• Tarrasch Variation: 3.Nd2 protects e4, leaves the c-pawn free, and avoids the typical Winawer position.
• After 3.Nc3, Black can choose the Winawer with ...Bb4, the Classical with ...Nf6, or the Rubinstein with ...dxe4.