Opening for Black · intermediate

French Defense

As Black, build a solid e6–d5 chain and attack White's center.

touch_appPlay the French Defense yourself. Make each move for Black; the coach explains as you go.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4

    White opens.

  2. 1... e6

    1...e6 prepares ...d5 with a pawn behind it.

  3. 2. d4

    White builds a broad center.

  4. 2... d5

    2...d5 challenges e4 immediately.

  5. 3. e5

    The Advance Variation: White gains space and closes the center.

  6. 3... c5

    3...c5! Hit the chain at its base (d4). This is the key French plan.

What club players answer

After 1.e4 e6, these are the moves White meets most often at club level, weighted the way our bots choose them so they play like people.

d475%
Nf315%
d310%
How often our club-level bots choose each move

How to remember it

...e6 and ...d5, then attack d4 with the c-pawn.

Variations to know next

Opening code C02, French, Advance.

The lesson line is the main road; most games leave theory soon after it.