French Defense (for Black)

The French Defense (1.e4 e6) prepares the d5 push: Black attacks the e4 pawn with a well-supported pawn. The structure is solid, but the c8 bishop is often locked behind the e6 and d5 pawns: that is the French's big strategic problem.

The principle

After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5, White must decide what to do with the e4 pawn: defend it (3.Nc3 or 3.Nd2), advance it (3.e5) or exchange it (3.exd5).

The ideas

• Black attacks White's pawn chain at its base, with the c5 and f6 pushes.
• White uses the extra space to attack, often on the kingside.

The main line: the Winawer

3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4. Black gives up the bishop for the knight and damages White's pawns; in return, White's queen immediately attacks the g7 pawn, weakened by the bishop's absence.

Main variations

• Advance Variation: 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6. Black puts all the pressure on d4, the base of White's chain.
• Classical Variation: 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3. White supports e5 with the f-pawn.
• Tarrasch Variation: 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Nb3 Nc6 9.Nbxd4. The knight on d2 avoids the pin by the bishop on b4.
• Exchange Variation: 3.exd5 exd5. The structure becomes symmetrical and the game is often quiet.

Coach's advice

With Black, take care of your light-squared bishop: trade it or get it outside the pawn chain, and hit the center with c5 without delay. With White, use your space to attack before Black's counterattack arrives. Click the colored moves to see each line, then ask me your questions.

Main line

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4