C07

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System

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

Aronian,L vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Ding Liren1-0
WCh 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Demchenko,A vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 20 • 2020★ Notable
Kovalev,Vl vs Kramnik,V1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 20 • 2020★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
4th Zurich CC Rapid • 2015★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Giri,A1-0
74th Tata Steel GMA • 2012★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Shirov,A0-1
Biel ACCENTUS GM • 2011★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Kamsky,G1-0
World Chess Challenge • 2009★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Kamsky,G1-0
World Chess Challenge • 2009★ Notable
Kosteniuk,A vs Hou Yifan1/2-1/2
WCh-Women • 2008★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Grischuk,A0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Adams, Michael vs Akopian, Vladimir0-1
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Rublevsky, Sergei vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Blehm, Pawel vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam0-1
Wch U20 • 1997★ Notable
Goloshchapov, Alexander vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam1/2-1/2
Wch U18 • 1996★ Notable
Khalifman, Alexander vs Gulko, Boris F1/2-1/2
Wch Team • 1993★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Reggio Emilia9192 • 1992★ Notable
Geller, Efim P vs Krogius, Nikolai V1-0
Wch Seniors • 1992★ Notable
Leko, Peter vs Naumann, Alexander1/2-1/2
Wch U14 • 1992★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
Reggio Emilia9192 • 1992★ Notable

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