French Defense
ECO C00-C19intermediate
The French Defense, 1.e4 e6 followed by 2...d5, challenges White's center immediately while keeping Black's structure rock solid. The pawn chain battles that follow are unique: White typically gains space with e5, and Black counterattacks the chain's base with ...c5 and ...f6 while seeking the famous 'good knight vs bad bishop' trades. From the sharp Winawer to the solid Tarrasch and the strategic Advance, the French teaches pawn-chain strategy better than any other opening.
Main line
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ne2 cxd4
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 271 | 37.6% | 8.5% | 53.9% | 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 |
| 600-800 | 3,678 | 48% | 3.8% | 48.2% | 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 |
| 800-1000 | 196 | 51% | 3.6% | 45.4% | 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 |
| 1000-1200 | 64 | 60.9% | 1.6% | 37.5% | 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 |
| 1200-1400 | 52 | 50% | 1.9% | 48.1% | 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 |
Most played continuations (600-800 rating)
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5:
- exd5 — played 29% of the time (White wins 49.3%, draws 3.8%, Black wins 46.8%)
- e5 — played 27.9% of the time (White wins 51%, draws 3%, Black wins 46%)
- Nc3 — played 20% of the time (White wins 49.2%, draws 4.3%, Black wins 46.4%)
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
What is the main weakness of the French Defense?
The light-squared bishop on c8, hemmed in by its own e6 pawn. Much of French strategy revolves around activating or trading it (...b6 and ...Ba6, or the ...Bd7-b5 route). In return Black gets a fundamentally sound structure and clear counterattacking targets at d4 and e5.
Which French variation should I learn first?
Start with the Advance Variation structures (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5): they appear in nearly every French game in some form, and the plans — ...c5, ...Nc6, ...Qb6 piling on d4 — are the heart of the whole defense. Then add a response to the Tarrasch (3.Nd2) and the critical 3.Nc3 main lines.
Is the Exchange French a drawing weapon?
The symmetrical structure after 3.exd5 exd5 has that reputation, but the position still contains plenty of play — opposite-side castling plans and minor-piece imbalances give the better-prepared player real chances. Black should meet it with active piece play rather than mirroring.
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