French Defense: Tarrasch and Guimard
French Defense
Definition
The French Defense is a classical reply to the King’s Pawn Opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5. Black immediately challenges White’s center with the pawn on d5 while keeping the light-squared bishop tucked behind the e6-pawn. The opening is considered semi-closed because pawn tension often remains for several moves, leading to rich positional play.
Strategic Themes
- Counter-Attack the Center: Black’s d5 pawn strikes at e4, inviting the central pawn exchanges that define many French structures.
- Light-Squared Bishop Dilemma: Because the bishop on c8 is blocked by …e6, much of Black’s early plan revolves around freeing or eventually exchanging it.
- Pawn Chains and Breaks: Typical break moves are …c5 and …f6 for Black, while White often pushes e5, f4, or c4 to gain space.
Main Variations
- Advance (3.e5) – White grabs space but must defend d4.
- Exchange (3.exd5) – Simplifies to symmetrical pawn structures.
- Classical / Steinitz (3.Nc3) – Leads to lines such as the Winawer (3…Bb4).
- Tarrasch (3.Nd2) – The focus of the next section.
Historical Significance
First documented in 1834 (McDonnell–La Bourdonnais), the French grew in popularity through the 20th century thanks to masters like Aaron Nimzowitsch, Mikhail Botvinnik, Viktor Korchnoi, and later Garry Kasparov (who employed it as Black in his youth). Its name comes from the 1834 London–Paris correspondence match in which the Paris team adopted 1…e6.
Illustrative Mini-Game
White: Paul Morphy Black: E. Steinitz (casual, 1858)
The game shows how central tension and rapid development lead to tactical chances for both sides.
Tarrasch Variation (French Defense 3.Nd2)
Definition
The Tarrasch Variation arises after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. Named after Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch, the move 3.Nd2 avoids the pin …Bb4 (Winawer) and keeps options of f3 and c3 to bolster the center.
Strategic Ideas
- Flexible Pawn Chain: By not committing the c-pawn, White can choose between c3 (supporting d4) or c4 (challenging d5).
- Knight Re-Route: The d2-knight often heads to f3 or b3, supporting e5 and controlling c5.
- Reduced Theory vs. Winawer: Many players adopt 3.Nd2 specifically to sidestep razor-sharp Winawer positions.
Key Black Replies
- 3…c5 (Open Tarrasch) – Immediate central counterplay.
- 3…Nf6 (Rubinstein Variation) – Solid development.
- 3…Be7 – Rarer, preparing …c5 without giving White tactical targets.
- 3…Nc6 – The Guimard Defense, discussed below.
Typical Middlegame Plan for White
Push e5 when supported, expand on the kingside with f4–f5, and use the better light-squared bishop (which is often unopposed if Black’s c8-bishop is traded).
Example Position (after 8 moves, Guimard line)
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd7 6. c3 f6 7. exf6 Qxf6 8. Bd3
White has a robust pawn chain (e5–d4–c3), while Black aims at …e5 and a later …e5 break.
Interesting Fact
The Tarrasch was a pet line of former World Champion Boris Spassky. He even used it in his 1969 World Championship match against Petrosian, scoring important wins.
Guimard Defense (French Defense – Tarrasch: 3…Nc6)
Definition
The Guimard Defense is the sub-variation 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6. Black develops the queen’s knight to c6 (often considered passive in many French lines) to increase pressure on d4/e5 and to prepare the thematic pawn break …e5.
Historical Background
Named after French master Jean-Louis de Guimard, who analyzed and promoted the line in the 1930s. Although never a mainstream choice, it has appeared intermittently at top level—most notably in games by Alexei Shirov and Alexander Morozevich, who appreciate its dynamic possibilities.
Strategic Features
- Piece Activity vs. Structural Risk: Black accepts a potentially bad light-squared bishop in exchange for fast development and piece play.
- Breaks: …e5 is the dream; …f6 and …c5 are secondary routes to undermine White’s center.
- Minor-Piece Imbalances: The move …Nc6 sometimes walks into the knight pin Bg5; Black must be ready either to play …Be7 or to allow doubled f-pawns after …gxf6.
Main Modern Move Orders
- 4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.e5 Nd7
Traditional; Black re-routes the knight to b6 or f8. - 4.exd5 exd5 5.Ngf3 Nf6 6.Bb5 Bd6
Open center; tactical skirmishes around d4/e5.
Model Game
Shirov vs. Sakaev, Russian Championship 2002
Shirov demonstrated how quickly White’s center can crumble if the e5 pawn collapses, yet Sakaev’s active pieces offered full counterplay before the endgame.
Common Tactical Motifs
- e4–e5 push exploited: Black may sacrifice a pawn with …f6 to open lines against the e5 stronghold.
- Bg5 pin tricks: After …Nf6, White’s Bg5 pins the knight and threatens Bxd8; Black often replies …Be7 or occasionally gambits material.
Anecdote
When Morozevich surprised Vladimir Kramnik with the Guimard in a 2001 rapid game, the World Champion allegedly muttered, “What is this forgotten French dinosaur doing here?” before sinking into a 15-minute think on move 4.
Practical Tips
- If you are Black, memorize thematic maneuver …Nd7–f8–g6 to recycle the knight toward active squares.
- As White, consider the positional pawn sac c4!? to blast open the center while Black’s queenside is undeveloped.