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{{Short description|Chess opening}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{refimprovemore citations needed|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox chess opening
|openingname = French Defence
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:1. [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4|e4]] [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6|e6]]
 
This is most commonly followed by 2.d4 d5, with. Black intendingusually plays ...c5 soon after, attacking White's {{chessgloss|pawn centre}} and gaining {{chessgloss|space}} on the {{chessgloss|queenside}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petrov |first=Marian |title=French Defense - A Complete Guide for Beginners |url=https://chessklub.com/french-defense/ |website=chessklub.com}}</ref> The French has a reputation for solidity and resilience, although some lines such as the [[#Winawer Variation|Winawer Variation]] can lead to {{chessgloss|sharp}} complications. Black's position is often somewhat {{chessgloss|cramped}} in the early game; in particular, the pawn on e6 can impede the {{chessgloss|development}} of the bishop on c8.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vitiugov |first=Nikita |title=The French Defence: A Complete Black Repertoire |publisher=Chess Stars |year=2010 |pages=7}}</ref>
 
{{AN chess|pos=toc}}
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==General themes==
{{unsourced|unreferenced section|date=July 2022}}
{{Chess diagram small
| tleft
Line 67:
| Typical pawn structure
}}
The diagram shows a [[pawn structure]] commonly found in the French. Black has more space on the queenside, so tends to focus on that side of the board, almost always playing ...c7–c5 early on to attack White's pawn chain at its base, and may follow up by advancing histhe a- and b-pawns.
 
{{Chess diagram small
Line 84:
}}
 
Alternatively or simultaneously, Black will play against White's centre, which is cramping hisBlack's position. In the unlikely case that the flank attack ...c7–c5 is insufficient to achieve counterplay, Black can also try ...f7–f6. In many positions, White may support the pawn on e5 by playing f2–f4, with ideas of f4–f5, but the primary drawback to the advance of the f-pawn is opening of the g1–a7 diagonal, which is particularly significant due to the black queen's oft-found position on b6 and the heavy pressure on d4. In addition, many French Advance lines do not provide White with the time to play f2–f4 as it does not support the heavily pressured d4-pawn. For instance, 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.f4? (if White plays Nf3, f4 will come much slower) 5...Qb6 6.Nf3 Nh6! and the knight will go to f5 to place fatal pressure on d4 and dxc5 will never be an option as the white king would be stuck in the centre of the board after ...Bxc5.
 
{{Chess diagram small
Line 99:
| Classical French with 9.Bd3
}}
White usually tries to exploit histhe extra space on the {{chessgloss|kingside}}, where he will often playplaying for a mating attack. White tries to do this in the [[Alexander Alekhine|Alekhine]]–Chatard Attack, for example. Another example is the following line of the Classical French: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bxe7 Qxe7 7.f4 0-0 8.Nf3 c5 9.Bd3 (<{{em>|diagram</em>}}). White's {{chessgloss|light-square bishop}} eyes the weak h7-pawn, which is usually defended by a knight on f6, but here it has been pushed away by e5. If 9...cxd4 (Black does better with 9...f5 or 9...f6), White can play the [[Greek gift sacrifice]] 10.Bxh7+ Kxh7 11.Ng5+ Qxg5{{chesspunc|!}} 12.fxg5 dxc3 13.Qh5+! where Black has three minor pieces for the queen, which gives him a slight material superiority, but hishas kinga isvulnerable vulnerableking and White has good attacking chances.
 
Apart from a piece attack, White may play for the advance of histhe kingside pawns (an especially common idea in the endgame), which usually involves f2–f4, g2–g4 and then f4–f5 to use his naturalthe spatial advantage on that side of the board. A white pawn on f5 can be very strong as it may threaten to capture on e6 or advance to f6. Sometimes {{chessgloss|pushing}} the h-pawn to h5 or h6 may also be effective. A modern idea is for White to gain space on the queenside by playing a2–a3 and b2–b4. If implemented successfully, this will further restrict Black's pieces.
 
{{Chess diagram small
Line 116:
|Position after 15...Nxc5
}}
One of the drawbacks of the French Defence for Black is histhe {{chessgloss|queen's bishop}}, which is blocked in by histhe pawn on e6 and can remain passive throughout the game. An often-cited example of the potential weakness of this bishop is [[Siegbert Tarrasch|S. Tarrasch]]&ndash;[[Richard Teichmann|R. Teichmann]], [[San Sebastián]] 1912, in which the diagrammed position was reached after fifteen moves of a Classical French.
 
Black's position is passive because histhe light-square bishop is hemmed in by pawns on a6, b5, d5, e6 and f7. White will probably try to exchange Black's knight, which is the only one of hisBlack's pieces that has any scope. Although it might be possible for Black to hold on for a [[Draw (chess)|draw]], it is not easy and, barring any mistakes by White, Black will have few chances to create counterplay; this is why, for many years, the classical lines fell out of favour, and 3...Bb4 began to be seen more frequently after [[World War I]], owing to the efforts of [[Aron Nimzowitsch|Nimzowitsch]] and [[Mikhail Botvinnik|Botvinnik]]. In Tarrasch–Teichmann, White won after 41 moves. In order to avoid this fate, Black usually makes it a priority early in the game to find a useful post for the bishop. Black can play ...Bd7–a4 to attack a pawn on c2, which occurs in many lines of the Winawer Variation. If Black's f-pawn has moved to f6, then Black may also consider bringing the bishop to g6 or h5 via d7 and e8. If White's light-square bishop is on the f1–a6 diagonal, Black can try to exchange it by playing ...b6 and ...Ba6, or ...Qb6 followed by ...Bd7–b5.
 
==Main line: 2.d4 d5 {{anchor|Main line}}==
 
===3.Nc3===
Played in over 40% of all games after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5, 3.Nc3 is the most commonly seen line against the French. Black has three main options, 3...Bb4 (the '''Winawer Variation'''), 3...Nf6 (the '''Classical Variation'''), and 3...dxe4 (the '''Rubinstein Variation'''). An eccentric idea is 3...Nc6{{chesspunc|!?}} 4.Nf3 Nf6 with the idea of 5.e5 Ne4; German [[International master|IM]] Helmut Reefschlaeger has been fond of this move. It is incredibly dense in theory.
 
====Winawer Variation: 3...Bb4 {{anchor|Winawer Variation}}====<!-- This section is linked from [[Aron Nimzowitsch]] -->
Line 166:
4th-move deviations for White include:
* 4.exd5 exd5, transposing to a line of the Exchange Variation, where White may aim to prove that Black's bishop on b4 is misplaced.
* 4.Ne2 (the '''Alekhine Gambit''') 4...dxe4 5.a3 Be7 (5...Bxc3+ is necessary if Black wants to try to hold the pawn) 6.Nxe4 to prevent Black from doubling his pawns.
* 4.Bd3 defending e4.
* 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 dxe4 6.Qg4, another attempt to exploit Black's weakness on g7.
Line 175:
* 4...Ne7 although this move usually transposes to the main line.
* 4...b6 followed by ...Ba6, or 4...Qd7 with the idea of meeting 5.Qg4 with 5...f5. However, theory currently prefers White's chances in both lines.
* Another popular way for Black to deviate is 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Ba5, the '''Armenian Variation''', as its theory and practice have been much enriched by players from that country, the most notable of whom is [[Rafael Vaganian]]. Black maintains the pin on the knight, which White usually tries to break by playing 6.b4 cxb4 7.Qg4 or 7.Nb5 (usually 7.Nb5 bxa3+ 8.c3 Bc7 9.Bxa3 and White has the upper hand).
 
====Classical Variation: 3...Nf6 {{anchor|Classical Variation}}====
This is another major system in the French. This position was seen as so normal so no-one thought about claiming it.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sterran |title=Fundamental Chess Openings |publisher=Gambit Publications |isbn=9781906454135 |pages=355}}</ref> White can continue with the following options:
 
=====4.Bg5=====
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Named after [[Amos Burn]], the Burn Variation is the most common reply at the top level. 4...dxe4 5.Nxe4 and usually there now follows: 5...Be7 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Nf3 Nd7 or 7...0-0, resulting in a position resembling those arising from the Rubinstein Variation. However, here Black has the bishop pair, with greater dynamic chances (although White's knight is well placed on e4), so this line is more popular than the Rubinstein and has long been a favourite of [[Evgeny Bareev]]. Black can also try 5...Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6, as played by [[Alexander Morozevich]] and [[Gregory Kaidanov]]; by following up with ...f5 and ...Bf6, Black obtains active piece play in return for his shattered pawn structure. Another line that resembles the Rubinstein is 5...Nbd7 6.Nf3 Be7 (6...h6 is also tried) 7.Nxf6+ Bxf6.
 
======4...Be7 5.e5 Nfd7 {{anchor|Alekhine–Chatard Attack|Albin–Chatard Attack}}======
{{Chess diagram
| tright
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|pl|pl|pl| | | | |
|rl| | |ql|kl|bl|nl|rl
|Alekhine-ChatardAlekhine–Chatard Attack Declined, White forces an attack after 6...h6 7.Bxe7 Qxe7 8.f4 a6 9.g4.
}}
* 4...Be7 5.e5 Nfd7 used to be the main line and remains important, even though the Burn Variation has overtaken it in popularity. The usual continuation is 6.Bxe7 Qxe7 7.f4 0-0 (not 7...c5? 8.Nb5!) 8.Nf3 c5, when White has a number of options, including 9.Bd3, 9.Qd2 and 9.dxc5.
* An alternative for White is the [[gambit]] 6.h4, which was devised by [[Adolf Albin]] and played by Chatard, but not taken seriously until the game [[Alexander Alekhine|Alekhine]]&ndash;[[Hans Fahrni|Fahrni]], Mannheim 1914. It is known today as the '''Albin–Chatard Attack''' or the '''Alekhine–Chatard Attack'''. After 6...Bxg5 7.hxg5 Qxg5 8.Nh3 Qe7 9.Qg4 g6 10.Ng5 (the reason for 8.Nh3 rather than 8.Nf3 is to play Qg4), White has sacrificed a pawn to keep the black king in the centre, as castling neither queenside nor kingside appears safe. Another point of the gambit is that Black's natural French Defence move 6...c5 runs into 7.Bxe7 when Black must either move the king with 7...Kxe7 or allow 7...Qxe7 8.Nb5! with a dual threat of Nc7+, winning the rook on a8, and Nd6+, when Black's king must move and the knight is very strong on d6. Black may decline the gambit in several ways such as 6... a6 and 6... h6. After 6...a6, White can continue to play for an attack with the aggressive 7.Qg4! threatening Bxe7 and then Qxg7. Black is forced to eliminate the bishop with 7...Bxg5 8.hxg5, opening up the h-file. A wild game with unsafe kings is sure to ensue. 6...h6 is a safer declination of the sacrifice, forcing the bishop to trade with 7.Bxe7 Qxe7 after which White may continue to try to attack on the kingside in anticipation of Black castling kingside (since queenside castling is undesirable due to the need for c5) with 8.f4 a6 9.g4 with a menacing attack.
 
======McCutcheon Variation: 4...Bb4 {{anchor|McCutcheon Variation}}======
* A third choice for Black is to counterattack with the McCutcheon Variation. In this variation, the second player ignores White's threat of e4–e5 and instead plays 4...Bb4. The main line continues: 5.e5 h6 6.Bd2 Bxc3 7.bxc3 Ne4 8.Qg4. At this point Black may play 8...g6, which weakens the kingside dark squares but keeps the option of castling queenside, or 8...Kf8. An alternative way White can treat 5...h6 is to carry through with the threat with 6.exf6 hxg5 7.fxg7 Rg8. The McCutcheon Variation is named for John Lindsay McCutcheon of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] (1857–1905), who brought the variation to public attention when he used it to defeat [[World Chess Championship|World Champion]] Steinitz in a [[simultaneous exhibition]] in [[Manhattan]] in 1885.<ref>[[Tim Harding (chess)|T.D. Harding]], ''French: MacCutcheon'' {{sic}} ''and Advance Lines'', Batsford, 1979, pp. 12, 56. {{ISBN|0-7134-2026-X}}.</ref><ref>Although many sources refer to John Lindsay McCutcheon and his [[eponym]]ous variation as "MacCutcheon", "McCutcheon" is the correct spelling. [[Jeremy Gaige]], ''Chess Personalia'', McFarland & Company, 1987, pp. 260, 275. {{ISBN|0-7864-2353-6}}; [[David Hooper (chess player)|David Hooper]] and [[Kenneth Whyld]], ''[[The Oxford Companion to Chess]]'' (2nd ed. 1992), Oxford University Press, p. 240, p. 478 n. 1205. {{ISBN|0-19-866164-9}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1296635 |title=Wilhelm Steinitz vs. John Lindsay McCutcheon (1885) |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> It reached the height of its popularity from 1905 until 1925. After that it disappeared from public eye until it was revived in 1990.<ref>Sterran. Fundamental Chess Openings. Gambit Publications. ISBN 9781906454135.</ref>
 
=====Steinitz Variation: 4.e5 {{anchor|Steinitz Variation}}=====
Line 233:
|Steinitz Variation after 4.e5 Nfd7
}}
Named after [[Wilhelm Steinitz]], the Steinitz Variation continues with 4.e5 Nfd7. Here 5.Nce2, the '''Shirov–Anand[[Alexei Shirov|Shirov]]–[[Viswanathan Anand|Anand]] Variation''', prepares to bolster the white pawn centre with c2–c3 and f2–f4; while 5.Nf3 transposes to a position also reached via the Two Knights Variation (2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.d4). The main line of the Steinitz is 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3. (Instead 7.Ne2 transposes to the Shirov–Anand Variation, while 7.Be2{{chesspunc|?}} cxd4 8.Nxd4 Ndxe5! 9.fxe5 Qh4+ wins a pawn for Black.) Here Black may step up the pressure on d4 by playing 7...Qb6 or 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qb6, begin queenside play with 7...a6 8.Qd2 b5, or continue kingside development by playing 7...Be7 or 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5. Another side-line for 7...cxd4 is 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9. Qd2 Bxd4 10.Bxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qb6 12.Qxb6 Nxb6, This line has been referred to as the Vacuum Cleaner Variation.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sterran |title=Fundamental Chess Openings |publisher=Gambit Publications |isbn=9781906454135}}</ref> In these lines, White has the option of playing either Qd2 and 0-0-0, or Be2 and 0-0, with the former typically leading to {{chessgloss|sharper}} positions due to opposite-side castling when Black castles kingside in both cases.
{{Clear}}
 
Line 251:
}}
This variation is named after [[Akiba Rubinstein]] and can also arise from a different move order: 3.Nd2 dxe4. White has freer development and more space in the centre, which Black intends to neutralise by playing ...c7–c5 at some point. This solid line has undergone a modest revival, featuring in many [[Grandmaster (chess)|grandmaster]] (GM) games as a drawing weapon but theory still gives White a slight edge. After 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4, Black has the following options:
* The mainline 4...Nd7 (the most popularfrequent linehigh-level exponent of this variation is: 4.[[Georg Meier (chess player)|Georg Meier]])..Nd7 Play might typically proceed 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 when Black is ready for ...c5.
* 4...Bd7 5.Nf3 Bc6 (the Fort Knox Variation) activating the light-square bishop, which is often played by [[Alexander Rustemov]].
{{Clear}}
 
==== Hecht Reefschlager Variation: 3...Nc6 {{anchor|Hecht Reefschlager Variation}} ====
3.Nc3..Nc6 is the Hecht Reefschlager Variation, a name coined by [[John L. Watson|John Watson]].<ref>Watson (2007), p. 144</ref>. This sideline has been played by [[Aron Nimzowitsch]] and many other players.
 
==== Rare sidelines after 3.Nc3 ====
One rare sideline after 3.Nc3 is 3...c6, which is known as the Paulsen Variation, after [[Louis Paulsen]]. It can also be reached via a [[Caro-KannCaro–Kann Defence]] move order (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 e6).
 
===Tarrasch Variation: 3.Nd2 {{anchor|Tarrasch Variation}}===
Line 280:
 
* 3...c5 4.exd5 and now Black has two ways to recapture:
** 4...exd5 was a staple of many old Karpov–Korchnoi battles, including seven games in their 1974 FIDE Candidates match. It usually leads to Black having an isolated queen's pawn (see [[isolated pawn]]). The main line continues 5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd6 7.0-0 Nge7 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Nb3 Bb6 with a position where, if White can neutralise the activity of Black's pieces in the middlegame, he will have a slight advantage in the ending. Another possibility for White is 5.Bb5+ Bd7 (5...Nc6 is also possible) 6.Qe2+ Be7 7.dxc5 to trade off the bishops and make it more difficult for Black to regain the pawn.
** 4...Qxd5 is an important alternative for Black; the idea is to trade his c- and d-pawns for White's d- and e-pawns, leaving Black with an extra centre pawn. This constitutes a slight structural advantage, but in return White gains time for development by harassing Black's queen. This interplay of static and dynamic advantages is the reason why this line has become popular in the last decade. Play usually continues 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.0-0 Nf6 (preventing 8.Ne4) 8.Nb3 Nc6 9.Nbxd4 Nxd4, and here White may stay in the middlegame with 10.Nxd4 or offer the trade of queens with 10.Qxd4, with the former far more commonly played today.
* 3...Nf6 While the objective of 3...c5 was to break open the centre, 3... Nf6 aims to close it. After 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 (6...b6 intends ...Ba6 next to get rid of Black's "bad" light-square bishop, a recurring idea in the French) 7.Ne2 (leaving f3 open for the queen's knight) 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 Nxf6 10.Nf3 Bd6 Black has freed his pieces at the cost of having a [[backward pawn]] on e6. White may also choose to preserve his pawn on e5 by playing 4.e5 Nfd7 5.c3 c5 6.f4 Nc6 7.Ndf3, but his development is slowed as a result, and Black will gain dynamic chances if he can open the position to advantage.
Line 306:
** 6.a3 is currently the most important line in the Advance: it prepares 7.b4, gaining space on the queenside. Black may prevent this with 6...c4 intending to take ''[[en passant]]'' if White plays b4, which creates a closed game where Black fights for control of the b3-square. A possible line is 6.a3 c4 7.Nbd2 Na5 8.Rb1 Bd7 and Black has a firm grip on b3 square. Alternatively, Black may continue developing with 6...Nh6, intending ...Nf5, which might seem strange as White can double the pawn with Bxh6, but this is actually considered good for Black. Black plays ...Bg7 and ...0-0 and Black's king has adequate defence and White will miss his apparently 'bad' dark-square bishop.
** 6.Be2 is the other alternative, aiming simply to castle. Once again, a common Black response is 6...Nh6 intending 7...cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf5 attacking d4. White usually responds to this threat with 7.Bxh6 or 7.b3 preparing Bb2.
** 6.Bd3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Bd7 (7...Nxd4{{chesspunc|??}} 8.Nxd4 Qxd4 9.Bb5+) 8.0-0 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 10.Nc3 is the '''[[Stuart Milner-Barry|Milner-Barry]] Gambit'''. If Black continues 10...Qxe5, White gains an attack with 11.Re1 Qb8 12.Nxd5 or 11...Qd6 12.Nb5.<ref>*{{cite book |last1=Hooper |first1=David |author-link1=David Vincent Hooper |last2=Whyld |first2=Kenneth |author-link2=Kenneth Whyld |title=The Oxford Companion to Chess |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |edition=2nd |year=1996 |orig-year=First pub. 1992 |contribution=Milner-Barry Gambit |page=260 |isbn=978-0-19-280049-7|title-link=The Oxford Companion to Chess }}</ref>
* 5...Bd7 was mentioned by [[Gioachino Greco|Greco]] as early as 1620. It is known as the [[Max Euwe|Euwe]] variationVariation<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=John |title=French Defence |url=https://www.chesspublishing.com/content/2/dec14.htm |website=Chess Publishing |access-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> and was popularised by [[Viktor Korchnoi]] in the 1970s. Now a main line, the idea behind the move is that since Black usually plays ...Bd7 eventually, he plays it at once and waits for White to show his hand. If White continues 6.a3, modern theory says that Black at least equalises after 6...f6! The lines are complex, but the main point is that a3 is a wasted move if the black queen is not on b6 and so Black uses the extra tempo to attack White's centre immediately. Common continuations after 5...Bd7 are 6.Be2 or 6.dxc5 (6.Bb5? is immediately refuted by 6...Nxe5).
* 5...Nh6 has recently become a popular alternative; the idea is that 6.Bxh6 gxh6 gains Black a semi-open g-file to attack the White king, or Black can play ...Bg7 to support ...f6 to attack White's pawn on e5. If White doesn't take the knight, it will move to f5 to pressure d4, or (after ...f6) to f7 to pressure e5.
 
Line 337:
 
==Early deviations for White==
After 1.e4 e6, almostthe 90main percentvariation of all games continuecontinues 2.d4 d5, but White can try other ideas.
 
* 2.d3 is usually played with the idea of adopting a [[King's Indian Attack]] setup after 2...d5 3.Nd2. It has been used by many leading players over the years, including GMs [[Pal Benko]], [[Bobby Fischer]], [[Leonid Stein]] and [[Lev Psakhis]]. White will likely play Ngf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0, c3 and/or Re1 in some order on the next few moves. Black may combat this setup with 3...c5 followed by ...Nc6, ...Nf6, ...Be7, and ...0-0; developing the kingside by ...Bd6 and ...Nge7 is also playable. 3...Nf6 4.Ngf3 Nc6 plans ...dxe4 and ...e5 to block in the Bg2, and 3...Nf6 4.Ngf3 b6 makes ...Ba6 possible if White's light-square bishop leaves the a6–f1 diagonal. Black may defer ...d5, and play 2...c5 and 3...Nc6, developing the kingside by ...g6, ...Bg7, and ...Nge7, or less commonly, by ...Nf6, ...Be7, and (if White's knight goes to d2) ...d6.
* 2.f4 is the '''LabourdonnaisLa Bourdonnais Variation''', named after [[Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais]], the 19th-century French master.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.365chess.com/opening.php?m=4&n=209&ms=e4.e6.f4&ns=3.16.209|title=C00: French, Labourdonnais variation – 1. e4 e6 2. f4 – Chess Opening explorer|website=www.365chess.com}}</ref> Play can continue 2...d5 3. e5 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5.c3 Nge7 6.Na3 Nf5.
* 2.Qe2 is the '''[[Mikhail Chigorin|Chigorin]] Variation''', which discourages 2...d5 because after 3.exd5 the black pawn is pinned, meaning Black would need to recapture with the queen. Black usually replies 2...c5, after which play can resemble the 2.d3 variation or the Closed Variation of the [[Sicilian Defence]].
* 2.Nf3 d5 3.Nc3 is the '''Two Knights Variation''': 3...d4 and 3...Nf6 are good replies for Black.
* 2.c4 (attempting to discourage 2...d5 by Black) is the '''Steiner Variation'''. But Black can reply 2...d5 anyway, when after 3.cxd5 exd5 4.exd5 Nf6 the only way for White to hold on to his extra pawn on d5 is to play 5.Bb5+. Black gets good compensation in return for the pawn, however.
* 2.Bb5 has occasionally been tried. Notably, [[Henry Bird (chess player)|Henry Bird]] defeated [[Max Fleissig]] with the variation during the [[Vienna 1873 chess tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chesstempo.com/gamedb/game/2183872/rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/4p3/1B6/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK1NR+b+KQkq+-+1+2|title=Bird, Henry – Fleissig, Max 1873 , Vienna , Vienna|website=chesstempo.com}}</ref>
* 2.b3 leads to the '''[[Richard Réti|Réti]] Gambit''' after 2...d5 3.Bb2 dxe4, but Black can also decline it with 3...Nf6 4.e5 Nd7 with White going for f4 and Qg4 before putting the knight on f3.
* 2.e5 the '''[[Wilhelm Steinitz|Steinitz]] Attack''', offers no advantage to White after 2...d6; alternatively 2...d5 3.d4 transposes into the Advance Variation.
 
There are also a few rare continuations after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5, including 3.Bd3 (the '''[[Carl Schlechter|Schlechter]] Variation'''), 3.Be3 (the '''Alapin Gambit'''), and 3.c4 (the '''[[Emil Josef Diemer|Diemer]]–[[Andreas Duhm|Duhm]] Gambit''', which can also be reached via the [[Queen's Gambit Declined]]).
 
==Early deviations for Black==
Line 441:
| publisher=New In Chess
| isbn= 978-9056915742}}
*{{cite book
| last=Taulbut|first=Shaun
| title=How to Play the French Defence 2nd ed.
| year=1991
| publisher=B.T. Batsford Ltd
| isbn=0713469536}}
*{{cite book
| author=Tzermiadianos, Andreas
Line 478 ⟶ 484:
==External links==
{{Wikibooks|Chess Opening Theory|1. e4/1...e6|French Defence}}
* [http://brooklyn64.com/2010/the-anatomy-of-the-french-advance/ The Anatomy of the French Advance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303082504/http://brooklyn64.com/2010/the-anatomy-of-the-french-advance/ |date=2011-03-03 }}
*[http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/french.html “6 h4 in the French Defence” by Edward Winter]
 
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