C08

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System

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

Nakamura,Hi vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
20th Amber Rapid • 2011★ Notable
Navara, David vs Evdokimov, Alexander A1/2-1/2
Wch U14 • 1998★ Notable
Kotsur, Pavel vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
WchT 4th • 1997★ Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Del Rio de Angeles, Gabriel1-0
Wch U18 • 1994★ Notable
Grischuk, Alexander vs Szymanski, Marcin1-0
Wch U10 • 1993★ Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Kaminski, Marcin1/2-1/2
Wch U16 • 1992★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Linares • 1989★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 29th • 1978★ Notable
Larsen, Bent vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1978★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 29th • 1978★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
World Championship 19th • 1951★ Notable
Botvinnik, Mikhail vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
World Championship 19th • 1951★ Notable
Keres, Paul vs Botvinnik, Mikhail0-1
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Gelfand,B1-0
World Blitz • 2007
Carlsen,M vs Nikolic,Pr1-0
Corus B • 2005
Navara,D vs Baklan,V1/2-1/2
Olympiad • 2002
Navara,D vs Delchev,A1-0
Olympiad • 2002
Ponomariov,R vs Short,N1/2-1/2
FIDE World Cup Gp B • 2000

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