French Defense
Tarrasch Variation
White 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.
- ECO
- C03-C09
- Recommended Elo
- 1200–1600
- 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.
- Exchange VariationWhite trades on d5 at once and the centre opens. Black’s problem bishop is finally free, and small plans decide a symmetrical position.
- 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.