C08
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.
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 Line93C05 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation261C06 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation187C07 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System597C09 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line250
Best Games
Nakamura,Hi vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
20th Amber Rapid 2011Notable
Navara, David vs Evdokimov, Alexander A1/2-1/2
Wch U14 1998Notable
Kotsur, Pavel vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
WchT 4th 1997Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Del Rio de Angeles, Gabriel1-0
Wch U18 1994Notable
Grischuk, Alexander vs Szymanski, Marcin1-0
Wch U10 1993Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Kaminski, Marcin1/2-1/2
Wch U16 1992Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Linares 1989Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 29th 1978Notable
Larsen, Bent vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1978Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 29th 1978Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
World Championship 19th 1951Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
World Championship 19th 1951Notable
Euwe, Max vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Euwe, Max vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Keres, Paul vs Botvinnik, Mikhail0-1
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Shirov,A vs Gelfand,B1-0
World Blitz 2007
Carlsen,M vs Nikolic,Pr1-0
Corus B 2005
Navara,D vs Baklan,V1/2-1/2
Olympiad 2002
Navara,D vs Delchev,A1-0
Olympiad 2002
Ponomariov,R vs Short,N1/2-1/2
FIDE World Cup Gp B 2000