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  1. Home
  2. /Openings
  3. /French Defense (C00)
C00

French Defense

Key moves: 1.e4 e6

The French Defence is a solid and strategic opening where Black plays ...e6 to support a later ...d5, challenging White's centre. The resulting positions feature distinct pawn structures and strategic plans for both sides — White often attacks on the kingside while Black counterattacks on the queenside.

History & Notable Players

Named after a correspondence match between London and Paris in 1834 where it was used. The French has been a reliable weapon for strategically-minded players including Mikhail Botvinnik, Viktor Korchnoi, and Tigran Petrosian.

Top Players in this Opening

Nakamura,Hi116 gamesCarlsen,M71 gamesErigaisi,Arjun63 gamesCaruana,F43 gamesKamsky,G43 gamesDuda,J41 gamesGrischuk,A34 gamesFirouzja,Alireza23 gamesShirov,A22 gamesMorozevich, Alexander19 games

Related Openings

C01 - French Defense: Exchange Variation591C02 - French Defense: Advance Variation1180C03 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation318C04 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Guimard Defense, Main Line93C05 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation261C06 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation187C07 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System597C08 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System218C09 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line250

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