C04
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Guimard Defense, Main Line
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
C00 - French Defense801C01 - French Defense: Exchange Variation591C02 - French Defense: Advance Variation1180C03 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation318C05 - 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
Svidler,P vs Aronian,L0-1
Amber Rapid 2006Notable
Liss, Eran vs Topalov, Veselin1-0
Wch U16 1990Notable
Garbarino, Rodolfo vs Short, Nigel D0-1
Wch U20 1982Notable
Klinger, Josef vs Short, Nigel D0-1
Wch U20 1982Notable
Ghizdavu, Dumitru vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Wch U20 1967Notable
Giri,A vs Duda,J1-0
chess.com Speed 2021 2021
Svidler,P vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
1st Abu Dhabi Super Blitz 2020
Movsesian,S vs Rapport,R1/2-1/2
41st Olympiad Open 2014 2014
Giri,A vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
SportAccord Blitz Men 2012 2012
Topalov,V vs Cori,J1-0
40th Olympiad Open 2012
Fierro Baquero,M vs Hou Yifan0-1
FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2009
Khalifman, Alexander vs Timman, Jan H1-0
World Cup 1991
Svidler, Peter vs Martinez Forn, O.1-0
Dortmund op 1991
Morovic Fernandez, Ivan vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1-0
Tunis Interzonal 1985
Hmadi, Slaheddine vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
Tunis Interzonal 1985
Bronstein, David I vs Szabo, Laszlo1-0
Saltsjobaden Interzonal 1948
Koziorowicz,Michal vs Caruana,F0-1
Titled Tue 29th Jul Late 2025
Esipenko,Andrey vs Rapport,R0-1
Esipenko-Rapport m Blitz 2025
Navara,D vs Lortkipanidze,N1-0
Titled Tue 28th Jan Early 2025
Geshnizjani,R vs Rapport,R0-1
World Rapid Team 2023 2023