Waiting with ...c5
Without ...c5 White keeps the pawn chain for free and attacks on the kingside. Challenge it early.
Opening guide · Black against 1.e4
How to play the French Defense
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5
The French Defense meets 1.e4 with ...e6 and ...d5, a solid pawn chain that Black attacks with ...c5 and ...f6. It suits players who like a clear structure and a counterattack.
- Lines to play
- 5
- Quiz positions
- 7
Learn the French Defense move by move
You play Black. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
Attack the base of the chain
- When White plays e5, the d4 pawn holds the chain. ...c5 and ...Nc6 hit it at once; ...f6 can follow against e5.
The light-squared bishop
- The c8 bishop is shut in by e6. Trade it, free it with ...b6 and ...Ba6, or bring it to d7 behind the pawns.
Pressure on d4
- ...Qb6, ...Nc6 and ...Nge7–f5 pile up on d4 in the Advance. White has to spend moves defending it.
Open lines in the Tarrasch
- Against 3.Nd2, ...c5 opens the centre while White’s knight is less active, and Black’s pieces come out freely.
The main lines
Advance: 3.e5 c5
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Be2 Nge7
Black hits d4 with the c-pawn and the knight, then develops behind the chain.
Classical, Steinitz: 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6
White builds a big centre; ...c5 and ...Nc6 go after d4.
Tarrasch: 3.Nd2 c5
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.exd5 Nxd5
Black opens the centre and the knight lands on d5.
Classical: 4.Bg5 dxe4
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6
Black releases the tension and accepts doubled f-pawns for the bishop pair.
Exchange: 3.exd5 exd5
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bd3 Bd6 6.O-O O-O
A symmetrical structure where active pieces decide.
Find the move
7 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 7
1.e4
The ideaPrepare ...d5 with a pawn.
Find the move for Black.
Common mistakes
Forgetting the bad bishop
If every pawn stands on a light square, the c8 bishop has no future. Plan its route before the middlegame.
Castling into the attack
With White’s pawn on e5, Bd3, Qg4 or h4 often follow. Make sure your king has defenders before you castle short.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the French Defense?
Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each Black move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The French Bastion teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.
Is the French Defense good for beginners?
Yes, if you like structure. The pawn chain gives clear plans for both sides: Black attacks the base with ...c5 and ...f6, White attacks on the kingside.
What is the main line of the French Defense?
3.Nc3 is the main move, leading to the Classical (3...Nf6) and the Winawer (3...Bb4). 3.Nd2 (Tarrasch) and 3.e5 (Advance) are the most common alternatives at club level.
What is the French Defense’s weakness?
The light-squared bishop on c8, blocked by e6. Good French players either trade it, activate it on the queenside or keep it for defence on d7.
Learn every line of the French Defense
The French Bastion teaches it as a repertoire: 60 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up