Advance French – Space in the French Defence

Advance French

Definition

The Advance French is a principal branch of the French Defence that arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5. By immediately pushing the e-pawn to e5, White grabs space in the centre, fixes Black’s e6-pawn, and creates a long-term pawn chain (e5–d4) pointing toward the kingside. In return, Black receives clear counterplay targets on d4 and the light squares and often seeks breaks with …c5 and …f6.

Typical Move Order

Most commonly:

e4 e6
d4 d5
e5 c5 (or 3…Nf6)

From this tabiya, play can branch into several sub-variations such as the Paulsen Attack (4. c3), the Milner-Barry Gambit ideas with 4. Nf3, or the modern 4. dxc5 lines.

Strategic Themes

Space vs. Pressure: White’s pawn chain grants space but also fixes targets Black can attack.
Key Breaks: Black relies on …c5 (immediately or later) and …f6 to undermine d4–e5.
Minor-Piece Placement: • White usually keeps the light-squared bishop on d3 or e2 pointing at h7. • Black’s “French bishop” (c8) can become active via …b6–…Ba6 or …Qc7 and …Bd7-e8-g6 maneuvers.
Endgame Edges: If Black neutralizes the centre, the backward pawn on e5 can become weak; if not, White’s space advantage persists into the ending.

Plans for Each Side

White
- Maintain the pawn chain with c3 and sometimes a pawn storm with f4 and g4.
- Develop pieces harmoniously: Nf3, Bd3, O-O, Re1, Be3/Qe2.
- Seek a kingside attack using the space edge and the thematic break f4–f5.
Black
- Undermine the chain immediately with 3…c5 or delay it with 3…Nf6 4. exf6 Nxf6 followed by …c5.
- Pressure d4 via …Nc6, …Qb6, and rapid piece play on the queenside.
- After a successful …f6 or piece sacrifice on e5, open files and convert central tension into activity.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

The Advance French was championed by Aron Nimzowitsch in the 1920s as a space-grabbing reply to the French. Later, Mikhail Botvinnik employed it in high-level events (e.g., vs. Capablanca, AVRO 1938) to demonstrate the power of a well-supported pawn chain. In modern times the variation enjoys constant theoretical attention—Magnus Carlsen used it successfully against Vishy Anand in the 2014 World Championship match (Game 2), steering the game into an imbalanced middlegame.

Model Game

Carlsen – Anand, World Championship 2014 (Game 2)
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. a3 Nh6 7. b4 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nf5 9. Bb2 Bd7 10. Be2 …
White maintained the central wedge, gradually improved pieces, and converted an endgame after simplifications.

Practical Tips

Do not rush f2–f4 unless your king is castled and d4 is secure.
Watch out for Black piece sacrifices: …Nxd4, …Bxb4+, or …cxd4 followed by …Qxe5.
In blitz, the fixed centre often simplifies plans—know your pawn breaks and typical piece routes.
If you play Black, learn one crisp plan vs. both 4. c3 and 4. Nf3 to save clock time.

Interesting Facts

The Advance was once considered the critical test of the French; the move 3. Nc3 only overtook it in popularity after World War II.
In the 2016 Candidates Tournament, Sergey Karjakin used the Advance French as Black (!) by transposition from a Queen’s Pawn opening, demonstrating its reach beyond 1. e4 e6.
Engines initially disliked White’s space grab, but with modern hardware some top neural networks (e.g., Leela) often evaluate the position as equal or slightly preferable for White.