C04

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Guimard Defense, Main Line

Key moves: 1.e4 e6

The French Defence is a solid and strategic opening where Black plays ...e6 to support a later ...d5, challenging White's centre. The resulting positions feature distinct pawn structures and strategic plans for both sides — White often attacks on the kingside while Black counterattacks on the queenside.

History & Notable Players

Named after a correspondence match between London and Paris in 1834 where it was used. The French has been a reliable weapon for strategically-minded players including Mikhail Botvinnik, Viktor Korchnoi, and Tigran Petrosian.

Best Games

Svidler,P vs Aronian,L0-1
Amber Rapid • 2006★ Notable
Liss, Eran vs Topalov, Veselin1-0
Wch U16 • 1990★ Notable
Klinger, Josef vs Short, Nigel D0-1
Wch U20 • 1982★ Notable
Garbarino, Rodolfo vs Short, Nigel D0-1
Wch U20 • 1982★ Notable
Ghizdavu, Dumitru vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1967★ Notable
Giri,A vs Duda,J1-0
chess.com Speed 2021 • 2021
Svidler,P vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
1st Abu Dhabi Super Blitz • 2020
Movsesian,S vs Rapport,R1/2-1/2
41st Olympiad Open 2014 • 2014
Giri,A vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
SportAccord Blitz Men 2012 • 2012
Topalov,V vs Cori,J1-0
40th Olympiad Open • 2012
Fierro Baquero,M vs Hou Yifan0-1
FIDE Women's Grand Prix • 2009
Khalifman, Alexander vs Timman, Jan H1-0
World Cup • 1991
Svidler, Peter vs Martinez Forn, O.1-0
Dortmund op • 1991
Morovic Fernandez, Ivan vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1-0
Tunis Interzonal • 1985
Hmadi, Slaheddine vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
Tunis Interzonal • 1985
Bronstein, David I vs Szabo, Laszlo1-0
Saltsjobaden Interzonal • 1948
Koziorowicz,Michal vs Caruana,F0-1
Titled Tue 29th Jul Late • 2025
Esipenko,Andrey vs Rapport,R0-1
Esipenko-Rapport m Blitz • 2025
Navara,D vs Lortkipanidze,N1-0
Titled Tue 28th Jan Early • 2025
Geshnizjani,R vs Rapport,R0-1
World Rapid Team 2023 • 2023

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