C02

French Defense: Advance Variation

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.

Best Games

So,W vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Aronian,L0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2022★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Rapport,R1/2-1/2
84th Tata Steel Masters • 2022★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Svidler,P1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Melikyan,Gnel vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 • 2020★ Notable
Khanin,S vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 • 2020★ Notable
Anand,V vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
81st Tata Steel GpA • 2019★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Caruana,F0-1
8th London Classic 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
5th Zurich CC 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
FIDE Candidates • 2013★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Berczes,D1-0
GRENKE Rapid WCh • 2010★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Gurevich,M0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Motylev,A vs Ponomariov,R0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Ivanchuk,V0-1
Amber Blindfold • 2005★ Notable
Nakamura,H vs Volkov,S11-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable

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