French Defense · C00

Main line, after 2. d4

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5

...e6 and ...d5 build a pawn wall that concedes space but never weakness: Black hits the white centre with ...c5 and later ...f6 while the light-squared bishop waits for its moment.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e6 Supports the centre, adding control of d5. Theory calls this the French Defense.
• 2. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.

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