French Defense
A solid defense: Black challenges the center with ...d5, accepts a closed position, then attacks White's pawn chain with ...c5.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 (ECO C00)
Key ideas
- Attack the base of the pawn chain with ...c5.
- The locked-in light-squared bishop is Black's big problem: plan to free it or trade it.
- Pressure d4 with your knight and queen.
A trap to know
Beware of White's sacrifice on h7 when Black castles kingside without a knight on f6.
Who is it for?
For patient players who like to counterattack.