Play Black · 20 chapters

French Defense

Study pawn chains, undermine d4 and release Bc8. Winawer, Classical, Tarrasch, Advance and Exchange systems.

Practise repertoire

Free reading and practice. Demo progress is not saved on the account. Annotated PGN download is available in the interactive reader.

Start with these chapters

Idea and repertoire boundaries

After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 Black builds a strong centre but restricts Bc8. White’s main choices are e5, Nc3/Nd2 or exd5. The course shows separate responses; it does not recommend playing Winawer and Rubinstein simultaneously. For a first repertoire choose one system against Nc3 and one against Nd2, then add the Advance and Exchange.

White’s plan

White uses e5-d4 space and may attack with f4/f5 or Qg4, but must defend the d4 base. Nd2 permits c3 and avoids ...Bb4, whereas Nc3 develops more actively. In the Exchange White gives up space for easy development. Black should recognise whether the opponent seeks an attack, a stable centre or simplification.

Black’s plan

Black’s main plan is ...c5 against d4 followed by a prepared ...f6 against e5. Bc8 may develop after exchanges, via ...b6/Ba6, ...Bd7 or the Fort Knox route. The Winawer trades Bb4 for Nc3 to create c3/c2 targets. The Rubinstein opens the centre early and eases the space problem. Do not play only defensive moves behind the pawn chain.

Structures and pawn breaks

A closed chain guides the plans: White has kingside space and Black often plays on the queenside. After ...cxd4 Nxd4 the chain has changed, and ...f6 exf6 may open e/f files. In the Tarrasch Black may accept an isolated d5-pawn. After exd5 exd5, Bc8 is released and the label “bad French bishop” may no longer apply.

Move order and tactics

Qg4 in the Winawer targets g7; ...O-O and ...Qc7 require very different calculations. The Poisoned Pawn does not guarantee compensation for every pawn. The Milner-Barry shows White’s development for material and the MacCutcheon tactics from opposing pins. Check e-file checks before castling and king escape squares after castling rights disappear.

Transition to the middlegame and endgame

A successful French often comes from freeing Bc8 and exchanging White’s active bishop. In the endgame advanced e5 can become a target, but Black’s d5/e6 may also need defence. If the centre opens, active rooks outweigh a remembered ...c4 plan. Do not preserve a “good” bishop at the cost of mate; strategic labels are guides, not laws.

How to train this course

Practise the closed Advance and identify the chain’s base. Then choose Winawer or Rubinstein against Nc3 and a Tarrasch response against Nd2. Leave sharp poisoned pawns and the MacCutcheon for later. In each final position explain how Bc8 develops and when ...c5/...f6 is possible. If no break is ready, identify the piece that should support it.

Annotated variations

SAN: N — knight, B — bishop, R — rook, Q — queen, K — king.

1. Winawer — positional 7.a4

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. a4 Qa5 8. Bd2 Nbc6 9. Nf3 Bd7 10. Be2 O-O-O 11. O-O

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
3... Bb4
...Bb4 pins the knight defending e4. After e5 and a3, exchanging on c3 gives up the bishop pair but creates durable queenside targets.
11. O-O
Queenside castling uses the queen’s departure from d8. Black attacks c3/d4 while White can pressure the b-file. Assess Ba3 or Rb1 before committing the king to c8.
FEN2kr3r/pp1bnppp/2n1p3/q1ppP3/P2P4/2P2N2/2PBBPPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 8 11

Practise this variation

2. Winawer — 7.Qg4 and kingside castling

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 O-O 8. Bd3 Nbc6 9. Qh5 Ng6 10. Nf3 Qc7 11. Be3 c4 12. Be2

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
7. Qg4
Qg4 attacks g7. ...O-O protects the pawn with the king but shifts the battle to the kingside. Concrete defensive moves are needed.
12. Be2
...c4 closes the centre and drives away Bd3. Avoid unnecessary king-flank pawn moves; White may prepare Ng5 while Black needs c3 pressure.
FENr1b2rk1/ppq2ppp/2n1p1n1/3pP2Q/2pP4/P1P1BN2/2P1BPPP/R3K2R b KQ - 1 12

Practise this variation

3. Winawer — Poisoned Pawn, deliberate risk

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Qc7 8. Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qxh7 cxd4 10. Ne2 Nbc6 11. f4 dxc3 12. Qd3

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
7... Qc7
...Qc7 offers g7/h7 for open lines and central pressure. This is a very sharp alternative; do not choose it without studying the forcing play.
12. Qd3
...dxc3 creates an advanced pawn and the g-file pressures the king. White’s queen returns to d3, so Black does not automatically have a winning attack.
FENr1b1k1r1/ppq1np2/2n1p3/3pP3/5P2/P1pQ4/2P1N1PP/R1B1KB1R b KQq - 1 12

Practise this variation

4. Winawer — 7.Nf3 and quiet development

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Nf3 Bd7 8. Bd3 Qa5 9. Bd2 c4 10. Be2 Ba4 11. O-O Nbc6

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
7. Nf3
Nf3 delays a queen attack and permits kingside castling. ...Bd7-a4 seeks c2 weaknesses after damaging the c-pawns.
11... Nbc6
...Nbc6 increases pressure on d4. Castling depends on White’s activity; Black may prepare ...O-O-O but must account for b-file pressure.
FENr3k2r/pp2nppp/2n1p3/q2pP3/b1pP4/P1P2N2/2PBBPPP/R2Q1RK1 w kq - 4 12

Practise this variation

5. Winawer — 4.exd5

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nf3 Nge7 7. O-O Bf5 8. Bxf5 Nxf5 9. Re1+ Nfe7 10. Bf4

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4. exd5
exd5 resolves the pawn chain before it closes. After ...exd5 White develops in a symmetrical centre and Black can activate Bc8.
10. Bf4
...Nfe7 blocks the e-file check while preserving the structure. Finish castling; do not leave Ke8 exposed merely to pressure c3.
FENr2qk2r/ppp1nppp/2n5/3p4/1b1P1B2/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R2QR1K1 b kq - 3 10

Practise this variation

6. Classical — Steinitz and ...c5

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bc5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. O-O-O

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4. e5
e5 gains space, but ...c5 attacks the chain’s d4 base. ...Nfd7 is purposeful: the knight supports pressure on e5 and c5.
10. O-O-O
With opposite castling Black can use ...a6 and ...b5 or pressure c2. Nxd4 has changed the chain, so reassess ...f6.
FENr1bq1rk1/pp1n1ppp/2n1p3/2bpP3/3N1P2/2N1B3/PPPQ2PP/2KR1B1R b - - 4 10

Practise this variation

7. Classical — 4.Bg5 Be7

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. f4 O-O 8. Nf3 c5 9. dxc5 Nc6 10. Bd3 Nxc5

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4... Be7
...Be7 calmly addresses the pin and preserves kingside castling. White can exchange the bishop and build e5-f4.
10... Nxc5
...Nxc5 recovers the pawn while developing. Target e5 and e4 rather than exchanging every pawn automatically; Bc8 still needs activity.
FENr1b2rk1/pp2qppp/2n1p3/2npP3/5P2/2NB1N2/PPP3PP/R2QK2R w KQ - 0 11

Practise this variation

8. MacCutcheon — 4...Bb4

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 Kf8 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4... Bb4
...Bb4 counter-pins Nc3 instead of retreating from Bg5. After e5 and ...h6 both sides must resolve direct attacks on pieces.
10. Kxd2
Kf8 gives up castling but preserves g7. After ...Nxd2 Kxd2 White’s king is central too. Do not open files automatically without comparing both kings.
FENrnbq1k1r/ppp2pp1/4p2p/3pP3/3P2Q1/2PB4/P1PK1PPP/R5NR b - - 0 10

Practise this variation

9. Burn — 4...dxe4

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Nf3 O-O 8. Bd3 Nd7 9. O-O b6

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4... dxe4
...dxe4 opens the centre and removes the prospect of White’s e5-pawn. Bxf6 Bxf6 leaves Black with the bishop pair.
9... b6
...b6 and ...Bb7 solve the Bc8 problem. Black can prepare ...c5; do not trade Bf6 for a knight without considering dark-square weaknesses.
FENr1bq1rk1/p1pn1ppp/1p2pb2/8/3PN3/3B1N2/PPP2PPP/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 10

Practise this variation

10. Closed Tarrasch — 3...Nf6

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2 cxd4 8. cxd4 f6 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. O-O Bd6

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
3... Nf6
Nd2 avoids the Winawer pin and permits c3. ...Nf6 invites e5; ...c5 and ...f6 attack both ends of the chain.
10... Bd6
After ...Nxf6 Black develops actively but e6 can become a target. Prioritise castling over unnecessary queen manoeuvres.
FENr1bqk2r/pp4pp/2nbpn2/3p4/3P4/3B4/PP1NNPPP/R1BQ1RK1 w kq - 2 11

Practise this variation

11. Open Tarrasch — 3...c5 and ...exd5

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. O-O Ne7 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. Nb3 Bd6 10. Re1 O-O

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
3... c5
...c5 challenges d4 immediately. After exd5 exd5 Black accepts the possibility of an isolated d5-pawn for piece freedom.
10... O-O
After dxc5, d5 is isolated. Maintain activity, consider ...Bg4 and ...Qd7, and prepare ...d4 with pieces; passive defence is insufficient.
FENr1bq1rk1/pp2nppp/2nb4/1B1p4/8/1N3N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQR1K1 w - - 4 11

Practise this variation

12. Tarrasch — recapturing with the queen

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Be7

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4... Qxd5
...Qxd5 avoids an isolated d-pawn, but the queen becomes a target for Bc4. Qd6 should permit development rather than obstruct it indefinitely.
10... Be7
After Nxd4 and ...Be7 Black can castle. White has active pieces; do not hunt h2 with the queen while Bc8 remains undeveloped.
FENr1b1k2r/pp2bppp/3qpn2/8/2BN4/8/PPP2PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w kq - 1 11

Practise this variation

13. Advance — ...Qb6 and central pressure

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3 Nh6 7. b4 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nf5 9. Bb2 Be7

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
5... Qb6
...Qb6 pressures d4 and b2. ...Nh6-f5 bypasses e5 and adds an attacker on d4 without blocking the f-pawn.
9... Be7
After b4 the queenside expands, but d4 still needs defence. Avoid ...f6 if White can then win e6 or exploit Ke8.
FENr1b1k2r/pp2bppp/1qn1p3/3pPn2/1P1P4/P4N2/1B3PPP/RN1QKB1R w KQkq - 3 10

Practise this variation

14. Milner-Barry — a pawn for development

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Bd7 8. O-O Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Qxd4 10. Nc3 Qxe5

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
6. Bd3
Bd3 accelerates development at the expense of d4’s tactical defence. ...Bd7 prepares to accept a pawn while covering the king.
10... Qxe5
After ...Qxe5 Black is ahead in material, but queen and king may be attacked. Prepare ...Nf6 and king safety; check Re1 before taking another pawn.
FENr3kbnr/pp1b1ppp/4p3/3pq3/8/2NB4/PP3PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w kq - 0 11

Practise this variation

15. Exchange — symmetry and active ...Bg4

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bd6 6. O-O O-O 7. c3 c6 8. Re1 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
3. exd5
exd5 releases Black’s c8-bishop. This does not force a draw: development, pins and the e-file still create problems.
9... Bh5
...Bh5 preserves the pin. g4 Bg6 may weaken White’s king, but do not pursue that at the cost of a piece: check Nf3-e5 and attacks on the queen.
FENrn1q1rk1/pp3ppp/2pb1n2/3p3b/3P4/2PB1N1P/PP3PP1/RNBQR1K1 w - - 1 10

Practise this variation

16. Exchange — c4 and open play

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Bd2 O-O 8. Nf3 Re8+ 9. Be2 Nc6 10. O-O

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4. c4
c4 changes a symmetrical position into open play. ...Nxd5 avoids an isolated pawn and ...Bb4 pins Nc3.
10. O-O
Re8+ forces a response before White castles. After O-O both sides have activity; do not overvalue a pin after Ke1 has moved away.
FENr1bqr1k1/ppp2ppp/2n5/3n4/1b1P4/2N2N2/PP1BBPPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 9 10

Practise this variation

17. Rubinstein — straightforward ...dxe4

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Bd3 c5 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. O-O O-O 10. Qe2 b6

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
3... dxe4
...dxe4 gives up a closed pawn chain in return for straightforward development. ...Nd7 permits a piece recapture on f6.
10... b6
...b6 and ...Bb7 activate Bc8. White has a little more freedom, but Black has no permanent d5 weakness; aim for equal activity, not stubborn pawn retention.
FENr1bq1rk1/p4ppp/1p2pn2/2b5/8/3B1N2/PPP1QPPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 0 11

Practise this variation

18. Fort Knox — develop the bishop via c6

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 6. Bd3 Nd7 7. O-O Ngf6 8. Nxf6+ Nxf6 9. Ne5 Be4

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4... Bd7
...Bd7-c6 solves the bishop problem without ...b6. It costs two tempi, but the pawn structure remains solid.
9... Be4
...Be4 offers to exchange the attacking bishop. Develop Bf8 and castle, then prepare ...c5; too many bishop manoeuvres may surrender the initiative.
FENr2qkb1r/ppp2ppp/4pn2/4N3/3Pb3/3B4/PPP2PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w kq - 2 10

Practise this variation

19. King’s Indian Attack — a French centre

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 c5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 b5 9. e5 Nd7 10. h4 a5

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
8. Re1
Re1 supports e5 and Black responds with queenside space. This is a race of plans, not a Winawer with a few moves missing.
10... a5
...a5 prepares ...a4 and ...b4, while White advances h4-h5. Consider ...f6 as central counterplay before both wings become overextended.
FENr1bq1rk1/3nbppp/2n1p3/ppppP3/7P/3P1NP1/PPPN1PB1/R1BQR1K1 w - a6 0 11

Practise this variation

20. Wing Gambit — stay calm against b4

1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e5 c5 4. b4 cxb4 5. a3 bxa3 6. Bxa3 Bxa3 7. Nxa3 Ne7 8. d4 O-O 9. Bd3 b6

Why these moves? Annotations · 4
1. e4
White builds a centre. The French answers with e6-d5 while retaining counterplay against d4.
1... e6
...e6 prepares ...d5 but shuts in Bc8. Already plan to release that bishop after central changes.
4... cxb4
...cxb4 accepts a pawn, but Black must develop quickly. Bxa3 simplifies at the cost of Black’s good bishop.
9... b6
...b6 prepares ...Ba6 or ...Bb7 for Bc8. White has e5-d4 space and active Bd3; do not cling to every pawn at the cost of a king attack.
FENrnbq1rk1/p3nppp/1p2p3/3pP3/3P4/N2B1N2/2P2PPP/R2QK2R w KQ - 0 10

Practise this variation

Check your understanding

Why does d4 matter when e5 is restrictive?

d4 supports e5. Undermining the base can be safer than attacking the chain’s head directly.

Is Bc8 always a bad bishop?

No. After e6 recaptures on d5 or a suitable manoeuvre it may have an excellent diagonal. The current structure matters.

What should you check before ...Qxb2 or ...Qxe5?

Checks, enemy rook development, queen retreat routes and king safety. A pawn does not automatically compensate for lost time.

Scope and sources

MoveForge educational treatment. Names and initial sequences were cross-checked against public opening classifications; commentary and plan selection are original. These are 20 selected chapters, not every possible move or a claim to the latest engine theory.

2026-09-17