C05
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed 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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C00 - French Defense801C01 - French Defense: Exchange Variation591C02 - French Defense: Advance Variation1180C03 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation318C04 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Guimard Defense, Main Line93C06 - 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
Kotsur,P vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
PNWCC Bullet (1+1) 2020 2020Notable
Vokhidov,Shamsiddin vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 14 2020Notable
Predojevic,B vs Erigaisi,Arjun1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 9 2020Notable
Kotsur,P vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 2020Notable
Navara,D vs Korchnoi,V1/2-1/2
36th Olympiad 2004Notable
Grachev, Boris vs Radjabov, Teimour0-1
Wch U12 1998Notable
Grischuk, Alexander vs Bunzmann, Dimitrij1/2-1/2
Wch U16 1998Notable
Papp, Gabor vs Radjabov, Teimour0-1
Wch U10 1997Notable
Szabo, Zsolt Jozsef vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam0-1
Wch U20 1997Notable
Zhao Min Jun vs Grischuk, Alexander1-0
Wch U12 1994Notable
Azarov, Sergei vs Grischuk, Alexander1/2-1/2
Wch U10 1992Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Timman, Jan H0-1
Tilburg 1991Notable
Ye Jiangchuan vs Short, Nigel D1-0
WchT 1989Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1987Notable
Horvath, Csaba vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Wch U20 1985Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Biel Interzonal 1985Notable
Espinoza Flores, Rafael vs Jussupow, Artur0-1
WchT U26 1985Notable
Sokolov, Andrei vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Wch U20 1982Notable
Adianto, Utut vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Wch U20 1980Notable
Damljanovic, Branko vs Short, Nigel D0-1
Wch U20 1980Notable