French Defense

Overview

The French Defense (1. e4 e6) is a solid, strategically rich opening where Black prepares an immediate challenge to White's e4-pawn with 2...d5. The resulting pawn structures give both sides clear plans, making it a favorite of positional players.

Position after 1. e4 e6

Key Ideas

• Black challenges the center with ...d5, often leading to a locked pawn structure after 2. d4 d5 3. e5.
• In the Advance Variation, Black targets the d4-c5 pawn chain base with ...c5 and ...f6.
• The light-squared bishop on c8 is often Black's worst piece and a key strategic problem to solve.
• White typically gains kingside space while Black plays for counterattack on the queenside.

Main Variations

History

The French Defense dates back to an 1834 correspondence match between Paris and London. It was later championed by Botvinnik, Petrosian, and more recently by Morozevich and Nikita Vitiugov.