French Defense
Exchange Variation
White trades on d5 at once and the centre opens. Black’s problem bishop is finally free, and small plans decide a symmetrical position.
- ECO
- C01
- Recommended Elo
- 700–1200
- Key positions
- 8
- Trainings
- 6
The full breakdown of this variation — plans for both sides, typical positions, the opponent’s main answers, mistakes and traps — is being written. Until then the French Defense guide covers the ideas behind it.
Other French Defense variations
- Classical VariationBlack answers 3.Nc3 with 3…Nf6 and hits e4 again. After 4.e5 the knight reroutes and Black strikes at the chain with …c5.
- Winawer VariationBlack pins the c3-knight with 3…Bb4 and trades it off for doubled c-pawns. White attacks the kingside, Black that permanent target.
- Advance VariationWhite closes the center with 3.e5 and gains space. Black attacks the base of the pawn chain with ...c5 and prepares ...f6.
- Tarrasch VariationWhite plays 3.Nd2 instead of Nc3, so there is no pin to worry about. After …c5 and the trade on d5 the game turns on the isolated pawn.
- Rubinstein VariationBlack gives up the centre with 3…dxe4 and sidesteps the sharp lines. White gets space, Black a position with no weaknesses at all.
- King’s Indian AttackWhite ignores the centre and builds with d3, Nd2, Nf3 and g3. A slow build-up to a kingside attack, with little forced theory.