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  3. /French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line (C09)
C09

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, 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

Geller, Efim P17 gamesJussupow,Ar16 gamesPortisch, Lajos15 gamesLjubojevic, Ljubomir14 gamesJussupow, Artur13 gamesKarpov, Anatoly12 gamesShort, Nigel D12 gamesBronstein, David I11 gamesTal, Mihail11 gamesIvanchuk, Vassily10 games

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 System597C08 - French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System218

Best Games

Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Amber-rapid 5th 1996Notable
McShane, Luke J vs Grischuk, Alexander1-0
Wch U10 1992Notable
Geller, Efim P vs Arkhangelsky, Boris1-0
Wch Seniors 1992Notable
Russek, Guil vs Kramnik, Vladimir0-1
WchT U26 1991Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Linares 1990Notable
Adams, Michael vs Paneque, Pedro1-0
Wch U20 1988Notable
Navara,D vs Theodorou,Nikolas1-0
58th Biel GM2 Blitz 2025 2025
Firouzja,Alireza vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Bullet Chess Winners 2023 2023
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Rapport,R1/2-1/2
Superbet Classic 2023 2023
Navara,D vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Julius Baer GenCup Prelim 2022
Giri,A vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
FIDE World Cup 2021 2021
Navara,D vs Vaganian,R1-0
50th Biel GM 2017 2017
Ponomariov,R vs Harikrishna,P0-1
50th Biel GM 2017 2017
Safarli,E vs Short,N0-1
42nd Olympiad 2016 2016
Caruana,F vs Short,N1-0
53rd Masters 2010
Polgar,Ju vs Jussupow,Ar1/2-1/2
European Rapid Championship 2010
Tkachiev,V vs Ponomariov,R1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008
Navara,D vs Korchnoi,V1-0
50th It 2008
Carlsen,M vs Jussupow,Ar1/2-1/2
NH Hotels 2006
Adams,Mi vs Jussupow,Ar1-0
ch-FRA Top 16 Poule Haute 2005

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