ECO C00 · for Black
French Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
65,895,405 games in this band reached the French Defense position. From there Black won 48% and drew 4%.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 Bd7 7. O-O cxd4 8. cxd4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Qxd4 10. Nc3 Qxe5 11. Re1
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e6
Intending a d7-d5 advance to contest the center.
2. d4
Creating the ideal pawn center, with pawns on d4 and e4.
- 2. Nf3: Rather than seizing the center with 2.d4, White chooses to develop a piece
2... d5
Challenging the center immediately, aiming to undermine White's control of the d4 square.
Moves 3 to 4
3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6
3. e5
Advancing the pawn to gain space and limit the mobility of black's knight on g8. This move is part of the Advance variation, which can lead to complex pawn structures.
- 3. exd5: Exchanging in the center, which can lead to open positions. This move is part of the Exchange variation, which is often used as a simplifying, less aggressive option.
- 3. Nc3: Defending the e4 pawn.
3... c5
Beginning black's main plan in this opening, attacking d4 to undermine e5.
4. c3
Reinforcing a strong central pawn chain that black will work to challenge all game.
- 4. Nf3: Developing the knight while supporting the center. c3 would've been better to protect the central pawn chain.
4... Nc6
Developing while putting additional pressure on the d4 pawn.
- 4... Qb6: Adding pressure to both d4 and b2.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 Bd7
5. Nf3
Developing the knight while supporting the d4 and e5 pawns.
5... Qb6
Activating the queen to where it can pressure the center and b2.
- 5... Bd7: Developing the bishop while remaining flexible and allowing the rook to go to c8.
6. Bd3
Developing the bishop while sacrificing a pawn in order to achieve an attack.
- 6. Be2: Developing the bishop and preparing to castle.
- 6. a3: Preparing b4 to gain queenside space and get rid of the b2 weakness.
6... Bd7
Developing the bishop and preparing to capture on d4 and accept the gambit if White castles.
- 6... cxd4: Capturing the pawn on d4 and likely accepting the gambit. Black will play Bd7 next and after White castles he will capture on d4. White has compensation for the pawn and will gain an attack.
Moves 7 to 8
7. O-O cxd4 8. cxd4 Nxd4
7. O-O
Castling kingside and preparing to continue with a3 or possibly dxc5.
7... cxd4
Capturing on d4 and accepting the gambit. White will play down a pawn for initiative.
8. cxd4
- 8. Re1: Activating the rook and supporting the e5 pawn. White sacrifices a pawn in this line to limit Black's play and gain a space advantage.
8... Nxd4
Moves 9 to 11
9. Nxd4 Qxd4 10. Nc3 Qxe5 11. Re1
9. Nxd4
9... Qxd4
10. Nc3
10... Qxe5
11. Re1
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The queen on e5 often goes to b6, via d6
- The kingside knight typically develops to f6
- The dark-squared bishop generally develops to d6
- The bishop on d7 often moves to c6
- The queen on e5 often moves to b8
- The king on e8 often moves to f8
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black
- Modern Defense for Black