French Defense: How to Play

Hello Champions! GM Avetik here (or Avo, as my friends call me.)

I'm in love with the French Defense, and if you're interested in learning this opening, we're potential future friends, hehe.

I've been playing the French Defense since I was a kid. It became my main weapon against 1.e4, I became a grandmaster playing the French. Before I stepped away from professional chess, I was known as one of the top French specialists in the world.

How did that happen? Well, I was lucky. I learned the French from the best.

In Armenia, we have a special tradition with this opening. It traces back to GM Rafael Vaganian, one of the strongest players of his generation, and one of the world's leading French experts. (One of the most brilliant French games ever played was by him, I'll show it to you soon.) He passed his knowledge to the next generation of Armenian grandmasters, who passed it down to me. Now I continue the flow, and transfer my knowledge to not only Armenian future champions, but to you and all French lovers in the world.

Now, some people believe the French is a passive opening. And honestly, that's true, if you don't know how to play it, and if you play it passively. But once you understand it, the French is one of the most aggressive openings in chess. Even at the very top level, it's one of the best choices if you want to win with Black.

That's why at ChessMood, we don't call it the French Defense. We call it the French Attack.

In this guide, I'll share with you the philosophy and ideas of French Defense, history, evolutions and variations of it, give you enough knowledge so you get started using in your games (often there will be tricky moves to surprise your opponents and take them out of the book), and at the end, will also share resources, if you want to dive in deeper.

Let's go!

We start with why 1…e6.

After 1.e4, Black plays e6. What is the idea of this move?

They prepare the next move to play d5 and recapture it with the pawn.

Position after 1.e4 e6

Then why not 1…d5 immediately and recapture with the Queen you might have asked? That's a good question.

Position after 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3

The problem is that after 2.ed5 Qd5, Black develops the Queen early in the game, which goes against the opening principles. One of them says don't activate your Queen early in the game because it will be attacked by the opponent's pieces and you will lose tempos. Here is the case.

White plays 3.Nc3, developing the Knight with a tempo, attacking Black's Queen.

This is the idea of French Defense, with starting the first move e6 and preparing after d5, in case of capture, to recapture it with the "e" pawn, not with the Queen.

Few words about its history, and we dive into variations.

The French Defense gets its name from a correspondence match played between the London and Paris Chess Clubs from 1834 to 1836. A Paris team member named Jacques Chamouillet convinced his teammates to answer 1.e4 with 1…e6, the Parisians won the match, and the move has been associated with them ever since.

Source: 1935 Tournament Book

The French really arrived at the top level in 1927, when Alexander Alekhine used this opening to win game 1 of his World Championship match against Capablanca. After that, the Soviet school (Nimzowitsch, Botvinnik, Petrosian, Korchnoi, Vaganian) reshaped its theory.

For decades now, the French has been the third most popular reply to 1.e4, and it briefly passed 1…e5 around 2006.

It's still a respected weapon even on the top-top levels. In 2023 World Championship Match, Ding Liren vs. Ian Nepomniachtchi, that later Ding won and became the World Champion, guess what was his main weapon with Black pieces against 1.e4? Yes - French Defense!

After the main move 2.d4 d5, White has 4 main options. I'll quickly introduce you to them, explain the ideas, downsides, and how you should react against each of them.

Position after 2...d5

3. exd5 - Exchange Variation

This is the least popular move at the top level. It's harmless, and Black has zero problems in the opening.

However, it's the most popular move you'll face at lower levels, especially below 1,500.

The reason - People don't know much theory, and trading pieces, simplifying the game is instinct of many chess players. And when they see an option - they exchange. Here is the case.

It seems they trade the e4 pawn with d5, but no. In reality, they trade the e4 pawn with passive e6 pawn! This is something most don't even realize.

Position after 3...exd5

You just recapture with 3…exd5, and unlock your light-squared Bishop.

From here you have 2 plans to develop your pieces.

Option A - normal way.

Nf6, Bd6, 0-0, Nc6, Bg4, Re8 and so on…

Option B - Aggressive way, preparing a long castle!

Nc6, Bd6, Nge7, Bf5, Qd7, 0-0-0, and then f6-g5-h5, and attack White's King. (White mostly caste kingside)

This is my favorite way! This is the favorite way of ChessMood students. And this is how I recommend playing in our French Attack course. (More about it later)

3. e5 - Advance Variation

This is the second most popular move you will face when playing French at the low level.

White advances their pawn (from where comes the name of the variation - advance variation.)

Position after 3.e5

They get space in the kingside. Make Black's development of Ng8 and Bf8 not easy, and most importantly, lock the light squared Bishop.

The downsides - they're making the 2nd move with the same pawn (going against opening principles.) The other issue, is the pawn is getting advanced, a little bit far from the army, which might become a challenge.

The d4 pawn is what protects it, and that's why Black's next move and the plan is so logical.

They play 3…c5! Attacking the d4-e5 pawn chain. If d4 pawn falls, the e5 pawn will be very sad. So White plays 4.c3, keeping the pawn chain.

Position after 4.c3

Here the d4 becomes the key pawn, and the main battlefield.

There are 2 main ideas Black have, and the 3rd - tricky one, which I recommend. Let's start with the main ones.

Option A) The main option

Black's main option is to play 4…Nc6, then Qb6, then bring the g8 Knight to f5, pressuring that pawn.

Option B) Solving the light-squared Bishop problem first.

They play 4…Qb6 first, then 5…Bd7, with the idea to play Bb5, trade the problematic Bishop, and then continue the plan of attacking the d4.

And the option c which I recommend in our French course.

It's very surprising, and even on top levels, people who play advance variation, they've never seen it.

Ready?

Option c) 3…Bd7

3…Bd7! 4.Nf3 a6!

Cool, isn't it? More you'll learn in the course. Now let's move to the next White's opinion.

3. Nc3

White develops the Knight and protects the e4 pawn.

Position after 3.Nc3

It has two downsides.

1. It allows Black to play 3…Bb4 and pin the Knight, re-attacking the e4 pawn.
2. It blocks the c2 pawn, which as we've seen was doing a great job supporting the central d4 pawn.

Position after 3.Nc3

3.Nc3 is the most challenging move on top-top Grandmaster level, but not popular on low levels. Mainly, because now Black has too many options, and it's not practical to remember how to face against all of them, if you're not a Pro.

Here are Black's main options, and what do we play in ChessMood.

Option A) 3…de4 - Rubinstein variation

This variation is named after Akiba Rubinstein, who was one of the strongest positional players of his times.

Option B) 3…Bb4 - Winawer variation

Black develops the Bishop, pins the Nc3, and attack the e4 pawn.

The downside of this move - it leaves kingside weak.

The main line after 3…Bb4 goes 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bc3 6.bc3

Now the theory goes wild. Black has one million options. After each move, White has options too.

You already see, right, why 3.Nc3 isn't that popular on low levels? Too much to memorize!

And we've seen only two Black's option yet, not the 3rd main option - which we play in ChessMood Openings.

Option C - 3… Nf6 - Classical Variation

Black also develops their Knight and ask questions to "e4 pawn."

Position after 3...Nf6

The theory continues go wild.

Now White has 2 options.

Option 1) 4.e5 - Steinitz Variation

Option 2) 4.Bg5

White protects the e4 pawn, by developing their Bishop and pinning our Knight.

Position after 4.Bg5

The theory continues wild, as now Black has 3 options, and the 4th tricky one, which we play at ChessMood.

Option A) 4…Be7

Viktor Korchnoi won many games with this move, and if I had an authority, I would make this move after his name - Korchnoi variation.

Source: chesscul.com

After 5.e5 Nfd7, it goes to a similar position as in Steinitz variation, just without dark squared Bishops. I tried it myself many times. I didn't like it. Too passive. Especially because of 6.h4!? so called Alekhine–Chatard Attack.

Option B) 4…Bb4 - McCutcheon Variation

This was the 2nd love of my childhood, after the girl I had fallen in kindergarten.

You pin my Knight? I pin yours!

Position after 4...Bb4

It seems like a blunder, and after 5.e5 White can attack and win the pinned Knight. But…!

You attack my Knight? I attack your Bishop!

5…h6! 6.Bh4 g5! 7.Bg3 Ne4, pressuring the pinned Knight and planning c5, Qa5 with a very sharp game.

Option C) 5…h6 - McCutcheon Gambit

As I said at the beginning, I played French all my life. And I played all of its variations. Yes, all! All you've seen already, all you'll see. But not this one!

You know why? I just didn't know about this move!

It didn't exist then.

One day, one of our students, with whom I was close, called me and asked about this move.

Position after 5...h6

"What?" was my reaction. "You lose a pawn, no?"

5.Bf6 Qf6 6.ed5

Position after 6...exd5

"Yes, yes…But then you play 6…Bb4. Develop the Bishop, while pinning the Knight and attacking the d5 pawn."

I said give me time. I went to my computer to check. Did it for an hour, then another hour, and then got very sad… That I didn't knew this move when I was playing professional chess!
But okay, I recorded it in our French course for our students and future generation.

After 7.de6 Be6, Black gets super ahead in development, and plan to pressure the d4 pawn. If White sees this first time, and believe me 99% of your opponents will, it's super difficult during the game to understand what to do.

Our plan is to castle, and pressure the d4 pawn. With Rd8, c5, or Nc6.

Lovely, no? 🙂

3. Nd2 - Tarrasch Variation

This variation is named after Siebgbert Tarrasch and later it was popularized by World Champion Anatoly Karpov.

Position after 3.Nd2

The idea of this move - it still develops the Knight and protects the e4 pawn, but doesn't block the c2 pawn from helping the central d4 pawn, and at the same time Bb4 pin becomes useless, as White can play c2-c3.

The downside - it's less active development than 3.Nc3. And it also blocks the Queen and c1 Bishop.

Now Black has 4 main options, and one tricky one!

Option a) 3…Nf6

Black continues pressuring the e4 pawn. After 4.e5 Nfd7 planning to pressure the d4 with playing c5 and then Nc6.

Option b) 3…c5

Immediately challenging White's Nd2 move, which left the d4 pawn unprotected. After 4.ed5 Black has two options: 4…ed5 or 4…Qd5.

On top levels 3.Nd2 happens much less than 3.Nc3, because of this 4…Qd5! It leads to equal positions.

During my professional career I played both of them, but stopped soon. Was too boring for me, haha.

Option c) 3…de4

It transposes to the Rubinstein variation, which could also happen after 3.Nc3 de4.

Option d) 3…Be7

Very interesting waiting move. Black disclose their cards, whether they play Nf6 then or c5, and waiting for White's response. It was popularized by super Grandmaster Alexander Morozevich.

Position after 3...Be7

And now we go to the last option - the tricky one.

Option e) 3…Nc6!

Black develops the Knight with a tempo, attacking the d4 pawn, and immediately using the downside of White's 3.Nd2 move.

Position after 3...Nc6

Why do I call it tricky? Seems a good move. Developing a piece with tempo.

Well, the reason is, when you play French, at some point, sooner or later you play c7-c5 and challenge White's center. Developing the Knight first - can be strategically very dangerous and might leave without counterplay.

But dynamically, in this specific case, in Tarrasch variation it's a super interesting move.

I was taught this move by my hero Grandmaster Karen Asrian, who unfortunately died of a heart attack at age 28…

I won so-so-so many games with it and played it against strong Grandmasters too, even when they could check the database and prepare against me. I didn't care. I believed in this move!

A few words about the ideas.

If White plays 4.c3 and protect the d4 pawn, we challenge the center with a blow in the center. e6-e5!

And if White goes 4.Ngf3 instead of c3, we go 4…Ngf6 5.e5 Nfd7 6.c3 f6!

This is another common way in French to fight against White's pawn chain.

After 7.ef6 we take back with the Queen - Qf6!

Cooking something…

8.Be2 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Re1 e5! 11.de5 Nde5

Position after 11...Nexd5

Where is White's pawn chain? Gone!

We crushed it. And now it's us who has a central pawn.

Also look at our pieces. All of them are breathing fire, and staring at White's king.

3…Nc6 will surprise most of your opponents, especially below 2,000 level, and this is how they'll be crushed from the opening.

Here is one of my games, where I surprised an International Master with 3…Nc6.

Now, let's see what sidelines are there, which are healthy ones and which are very bad.

3. Bd3 - Schlechter Variation or ChessMood Variation

Both 3.Nc3 and 3.Nd2 had their downsides. One was blocking the c2 pawn, another was blocking the pieces.

So, why not 3.Bd3 instead. Develop a kingside piece, while protecting the e4 pawn.

Logical, no? But it's a sideline. I've never faced this move during all my professional career, not even once.

Position after 3.Bd3

The problem of this move is after 3…de4 4.Be4 Nf6, White should either lose a tempo retreating their Bishop, or give up Bishop pair advantage.

Position after 4...Nf6

I had zero preparation against the 3.Bd3 move, and all my life I thought its a bad move.

And then one day, I play online blitz chess, and the opponent plays 3.Bd3.

I answered what I thought was the refutation, and the opponent retreated the Bishop to f3.

I don't know who he/she was but I'm super-super curious.

Because we played a long match, and he/she won EVERY game!

Didn't flag me at the end. Didn't outplay me in the endgame. He/she was crushing me in the opening. I couldn't survive 20 moves 🙂

After the session, I went to my computer, opened the databases, and engines to find out the correct way to play against this 3.Bd3 "stupid" move.

I didn't find anything sufficient after hours of working!

Then I realized it's the most underestimated move in French.

And when I was recording White Opening repertoire for ChessMood students with 1.e4, what did I recommend against French? Yes - 3.Bd3!

It's named after Carl Schlechter, but if the variation didn't have a name it would be called ChessMood variation.

Without fake humbleness, it was popularized by ChessMoodians after we released the course.

https://chessmood.com/course/french-defence

So, if ten years ago you would never face this move, now you might. I recommend you counter-surprise the opponents with 3…Nc6. Just as you do against 3.Nd2

Position after 3...Nc6

You attack the d4 pawn and threaten an unpleasant Nb4 move!

And if White plays 4.c3 stopping both, you go 4…e5!

Very similar to what you did before.

Two Knights Variation

Instead of the main 2.d4, white develops the Knights first.

2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3, or 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3

Position after 3.Nc3

The easiest way to play here is 3…Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.d4 c5, and then Nc6, and White has a challenge with their center. Knight on c3 blocks the c2 pawn, and they can't protect the d4 with c3, and the f3 Knight blocks the f2 pawn, stopping f4.

Position after 5...c5

2. d3 - King's Indian Attack

This was the favorite weapon against French of legendary Bobby Fischer.

Position after 2.d3

He was King's Indian fan, and White pieces too, he would go with that setup. Nd2, Ngf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0…

King's Indian Setup

I recommend you play 2…d5 3.Nd2 and surprise with a very uncommon 3…e5!

Yes! Another time, we play e6 and very soon e5.

Against opponent principles? Yes! But it's an exception, as with 2.d3 White didn't care about fighting for the center. Then why don't we take it?

And then easily develop our pieces.

"But after 4.ed5 we can't take back with the pawn, and should take with the Queen developing it early into the game, Avo!"

If you asked this - I'm pleased you're carefully reading all and challenging me! Great question.

There is one nuance.

After 4…Qd5, indeed we develop the Queen early into the game. But hey, who can attack us? There is no more Nc3, it's on d2!

And if 5.c4 - it's a big positional mistake, that weakens the d3 pawn and the d4 square.

2. Qe2 - Chigorin Variation

Another sideline.

Position after 2.Qe2

White's idea is to stop 2…d5 3.ed5 ed5, as our King would be pinned.

The downside - the poor f1 Bishop is blocked.

I recommend surprising again. With the same weapon!

Yes. 2…e5!

Position after 2...e5

If you're laughing now, I understand you 😊

But look. White can't play their standard Bc4 anymore, which they do after 1.e4 e5.

While we can easily develop our pieces, and even fight for the opening advantage.

2. c4 - Steiner Variation

White wants to stop the d5. Almost…

Position after 2.c4

We still play 2…d5.

After 3.ed5 ed5 4.cd5, we play 4…Nf6, take it back with the Knight, after which White will suffer with an isolated pawn.

Position after 4...Nf6

2. f4 - La Bourdonnais Variation

White wants to have an active pawn on f4, before playing Nf3. But it's bad.

Position after 2.f4

After 2…d5 3.e5 c5, it's Black who is better. They control the center, the Knight easily goes to the dream f5 square.

Black's Best Setup

There are very aggressive players who love to play gambits against every defense.
It's a good idea to be prepared and shock them.

I'll introduce you the 3 main gambits against French, and how to play against each of them.

2. b3 - Reti Gambit

Position after 2.b3

White prepares to have a fianchetto Bishop and also sacrifice the e4 pawn!
after 2…d5 they play 3.Bb2, ignoring the attacked e4 pawn.

The idea, after 3…de4 4.Nc3 Nf6 to play 5.Qe2, prepare capturing back the e4 pawn and castle long side! Quite interesting, indeed. But…

I recommend to make your opponents very sad, decline the gambit and play 3…Nf6 attacking the e4 pawn with the Knight! This is the move that Reti Gambit players just hate…

After 4.e5 you can go 4…Nfd7 and then your typical plan with c5, Nc6…

White's Bishop on b2 is completely misplaced, blocked by their own e5 pawn.

3.Be3 - Alapin Gambit

Position after 3.Be3

This move was popularized by famous Youtuber and good friend of mine NM Nelson Lopez.

White sacrifices the e4 pawn, and after 3…de4, they go 4.f3 ef3 5.Nf3.
For the sacrificed pawn, they get ahead in development. Plus, after they castle short, the Rf1 will be activated.

However this variation has a simple, elegant and just 1-move refutation.
4…Nh6!

Position after 4...Nh6

Usually you don't develop your Knights at the corner of the board. Here is an exception. The Knight goes to f5.

And in both cases, 4.Bh6 or 4.fe4, there is a brutal Qh4 check!

This 4…Nh6 completely refutes the 3.Be3 - Alapin Gambit, and Black gets a big advantage.
The refutation I showed you isn't well known, which is good for this gambit lovers. Not good for them if they face you!

4.b4 - Wing Gambit

After 1.e4 e6, instead of main move 2.d4, White goes 2.Nf3.
After 2…d5 3.e5 c5 they gambit with 4.b4.

Position after 4.b4

What's the idea?
Remember, early we talked they when White plays d4, Black plays c5 and start the battle around d4 pawn?

White wants to get rid of that c5 pawn by sacrificing their b pawn.

This is quite practical gambit, as White gets easy and fun play.

The way I recommend is playing anti-gambit, sticking to ChessMood variation, as we played against 3.e5 - advanced variation.

We make a waiting move 3…Bd7 - a very unpleasant one for Wing Gambit players.

Now 4.b4 doesn't make sense, as we'll take it with our Bishop, for free.

So White doesn't have a big choice, rather than to play 4.d4 and transpose to advanced variation, which clearly they didn't want to play, as indicated their 2.Nf3 move.

As we're getting close to end, I want to share with you some emotions and show you a few very beautiful games with brilliant sacrifices with French Defense, including the promised immortal game by GM Rafael Vaganian.

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

And if you're curious how I use French myself, I'll share with you few games. Just quick reminder - I play French Attack, not defense, haha.

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

ChessMood students just loved French attack, and they warm my heart every time, they post their games in our forum, sharing their beautiful games with French Attack, following the variations I taught them in the course. (you'll find link at the end)

Here are a few of them.

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

First of all, accept my congratulations! If you've made this far (and not just scrolled!), you should already know a lot to start trying French! For learning it deeper, I want to suggest two paths:

1) French Attack - BlackMood Openings

I've recorded a course, where I share all you need to know for playing French under 2,000 level. I'll take you to the next step, of what you learned in this guide. And as a bonus, you'll also learn how to play against 1.d4. We play 1…e6 again, and then Dutch Attack!

2) French with Eric Rosen

I was teaching French Attack to my friend and famous content creator IM Eric Rosen. You can also start from here. It's on Youtube.

Dear future potential friend! (remember, at the beginning I said, if you fall in love with chess we're potential friends.)

Thank you for reading and for your trust. I know your time is limited, and trusting me as your guide…reading what I put it together here… what can I say… THANK YOU!!!

I'm wishing you beautiful games with French Defense, or French Attack (happy if you liked and adopted the new name, we gave at ChessMood), and looking forward to seeing you inside the French course, or who knows, maybe in real life!

Just say "Avo, I play French Attack", and I know you're one of us.

With best wishes and love, For your growth and fun journey,
GM Avetik (or Avo, as my friends call me) ❤️

What is the French Defense in chess?

The French Defense begins with 1.e4 e6, preparing 2...d5. Black plays ...e6 first (rather than 1...d5 directly) so that after a capture they can recapture with the e-pawn instead of the Queen — avoiding the tempo loss after 1...d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3. Many think the French is passive, but it's actually one of the most aggressive openings in chess, at ChessMood we call it the "French Attack."

Why is the opening called the "French Defense"?

The opening is named after a celebrated correspondence match played between the London Chess Club and the Paris Chess Club from 1834 to 1836. Jacques Chamouillet, a member of the Paris team, persuaded his teammates to answer 1.e4 with 1...e6, and the Parisians went on to win the match, permanently associating the move with their city. Earlier games featuring 1...e6 do exist, but it was the Paris team's victory that fixed the opening's identity in the chess world.

How do you play the French Defense as Black?

Start with 1.e4 e6, planning 2...d5 to fight for the center. From there, your move depends on White's reply:

Against the Exchange (3.exd5): recapture with 3...exd5 to unlock the light-squared Bishop, then go for the aggressive long-castle attack: ...Nc6, ...Bd6, ...Nge7, ...Bf5, ...Qd7, 0-0-0, then ...f6-g5-h5.
Against the Advance (3.e5): the ChessMood line is 3...Bd7 4. Nf3 a6, planning ...Bb5 to trade the problem Bishop.
Against 3. Nc3: pick the Rubinstein (3...dxe4), Winawer (3...Bb4), or Classical (3...Nf6).
Against the Tarrasch (3. Nd2) and the Schlechter (3. Bd3): play the tricky 3...Nc6, attacking d4 immediately.

How does White typically meet the French Defense?

After 2.d4 d5, White's four main options are 3.exd5 (Exchange), 3.e5 (Advance), 3.Nc3, and 3.Nd2 (Tarrasch). The underrated sideline 3.Bd3 (Schlechter / ChessMood Variation) is what we recommend in the ChessMood White repertoire. White can also avoid 2.d4 with the Two Knights Variation, 2.d3 (King's Indian Attack, Bobby Fischer's favorite vs. the French), 2.Qe2 (Chigorin), 2.c4 (Steiner), or 2.f4 (La Bourdonnais).

What are the main variations of the French Defense?

After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5, the four main lines are the Exchange (3.exd5), the Advance (3.e5), 3.Nc3 (branching into the Rubinstein, Winawer, and Classical, which itself contains the Steinitz, McCutcheon, and McCutcheon Gambit), and the Tarrasch (3.Nd2). The key sideline is 3.Bd3, the Schlechter / ChessMood Variation.

Beyond move 3, White can also choose the Two Knight Variation, the King's Indian Attack (2.d3), the Chigorin (2.Qe2), the Steiner (2.c4), or the La Bourdonnais (2.f4).

Is the French Defense a good opening in general?

The opening has been the third most popular reply to 1.e4 for decades, briefly overtaking 1...e5 around 2006. It has top-level pedigree from Alekhine (who beat Capablanca with the Winawer in their 1927 World Championship), Botvinnik, Petrosian, Korchnoi, Karpov, Vaganian, Dreev, Kamsky, Bareev, and Morozevich, so yes, it's indeed one of the best openings in chess.

What is the main weakness of the French Defense?

The light-squared Bishop on c8, what we at ChessMood call "the biggest problem of French." It gets locked behind Black's own e6 pawn, and often in many variations Black's plans revolve around solving it. The typical solutions are to trade it via ...Bd7 and ...Bb5 (especially in the Advance Variation, where the ChessMood line 3...Bd7 4.Nf3 a6 is built around exactly this idea.)

Why is the Exchange Variation so common at lower levels?

Although 3.exd5 is the least popular reply at the top level, it's harmless, and Black has zero opening problems, it's the most common move you'll face below 1,500. The reason is psychological: most players don't know much theory, and trading pieces is their instinct. What they often don't realize is that they're not really trading the e4 pawn for the d5 pawn, they're trading their active e4 pawn for Black's passive e6 pawn. After 3...exd5, Black's light-squared Bishop is unlocked and Black has a fully equal, comfortable game.

Internal-linking block. Each item links to its own landing page.

• Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6)
• Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5)
• Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6)
• Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5)
• Modern Defense (1.e4 g6)