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
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
Best Games
Gukesh,D vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Fedoseev,Vl3 vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Bullet (1+1) 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Fedoseev,Vl3 vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
PNWCC Bullet (1+1) 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Kovalev,Vl vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 14 • 2020★ Notable
Divya,Deshmukh vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 • 2020★ Notable
Stearman,Josiah vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 9 • 2020★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Rapport,R1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Andreikin,D vs Hou Yifan0-1
WCh-Junior • 2008★ Notable
Leko,P vs Ljubojevic,L1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2001★ Notable
Kapnisis, Spyridon vs Radjabov, Teimour0-1
Wch U18 • 1999★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Jussupow, Artur1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1998★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Zhang Zhong vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam1-0
Wch U20 • 1997★ Notable
Morozevich, Alexander vs Socko, Bartosz1-0
Wch U20 • 1997★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Petropolis Interzonal • 1973★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Duda,J0-1
1st 3-0 Thu 11th Dec 2025 • 2025
Nakamura,Hi vs Aronian,L1-0
Titled Tue 7th Oct 2025 • 2025
Rapport,R vs Shirov,A1-0
FIDE World Rapid Team • 2025