French Defense
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 · C00–C19
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 12
Attack the pawn chain, not just its head
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The idea
Black challenges e4 with ...d5 on move two, accepting a slightly cramped position behind a solid pawn chain in exchange for a genuine fight for the centre.
Main line: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6
What White wants
- Use the extra kingside space to develop an attack
- Support d4 while preparing f4–f5 to challenge Black's e6 pawn
- Keep the c8 bishop restricted or exchange it on favourable terms
What Black wants
- Attack the base of White's chain with ...c5 and ...Qb6
- Free the position with ...f6 or ...cxd4 at the right moment
- Trade pieces and reach a resilient, slightly passive middlegame
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Attack the pawn chain, not just its head
White's d4–e5 chain has a base on d4, so ...c5 is Black's natural challenge. Black's e6–d5 chain can be undermined with f4–f5. Piece pressure and the ...f6 break also matter: neither side should advance pawns without developing behind them.
Common mistake
Allowing queenside pressure to distract from development. After ...dxe4 Black has chosen the sound Rubinstein structure, not made a mistake; White should develop and protect d4 rather than expect the old pawn-chain attack to work unchanged.
Mistake example: Be7.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r1bqkb1r/pp1n1ppp/2n1p3/2ppP3/3P1P2/2N2N2/PPP3PP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 2 7
Analyze this positionVariations
7 lines branching from here.