French Defence
C00–C19Black1.e4 e6
C00–C19 · 1.e4 e6
The idea
Solid and combative. Black answers 1.e4 with 1...e6, preparing to challenge the centre with ...d5 behind a sturdy pawn wall. The only initial drawback is the light-squared bishop, which is hemmed in by the ...e6 pawn, but the resulting structure is famously tough and resilient.
Your plan (Black)
Accept a slightly cramped position in return for a rock-solid structure, then chip away at White's centre with the ...c5 break (and sometimes ...f6), and find good homes for the pieces — especially the problem bishop.
Heading into the middlegame
The French is a pawn-chain battle. Strike the BASE of White's chain with ...c5 (and sometimes ...f6 against an e5-chain) and pile up on d4 — don't release the tension early. Solve your 'French bishop' (the c8-bishop hemmed in by ...e6): trade it via ...b6 and ...Ba6, or activate it with ...Bd7–b5. Your play is on the queenside and against d4; White's is the kingside, so push your break before White's attack lands.
Lines
0/4 masteredWhite locks the centre with e5; you pile up on the d4-base with ...c5, ...Nc6 and ...Qb6, attacking the chain instead of releasing the tension.
You pin and trade on c3 to wreck White's queenside pawns, accepting a cramped but resilient structure with dynamic counterplay against the doubled pawns.
You develop ...Nf6 and meet Bg5 calmly; after White pushes e5 you regroup with ...Nfd7 and break with ...c5 against the d4-base.
White develops quietly with Nd2; you strike at once with ...c5 and accept an isolated d-pawn, getting fast, active piece play in return.