French Defense Tarrasch Open Suchting Line
French Defense
Definition
The French Defense is a classical reply to 1. e4 that begins with 1…e6. After the common continuation 2. d4 d5, Black immediately strikes at the e-pawn and erects a solid, flexible pawn chain. Because Black’s c-pawn remains free to advance to c5 at a later moment, the French often features asymmetrical pawn structures and rich strategic play.
How It Is Used in Chess
- Counter-attacking Opening: Black concedes space in the opening phase but plans counter-thrusts with …c5 or …f6.
- Pawn Chain Play: The typical structure e6–d5 vs. e4–d4 teaches the classic rules of playing against and with a pawn chain (attack the base with …c5; defend with c3).
- Rich Variety: White can choose the Advance (3. e5), Exchange (3. exd5), Tarrasch (3. Nd2), Classical/Winawer (3. Nc3), King’s Indian Attack, and assorted minor systems. Consequently the French remains a mainstay from club level to elite events.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Its name comes from the 1834 Paris–London correspondence match in which the French team recommended 1…e6. World Champions such as Botvinnik, Petrosian, Korchnoi (long-time challenger), and contemporary specialists like Alexander Morozevich and Ding Liren have employed the defense at the highest levels. The opening enjoys a reputation for being strategically sound yet double-edged: Black’s “bad” light-squared bishop can become powerful after a timely …c5 or …f6 break.
Typical Move Orders
Core tabiya:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
Then:
- 3. Nc3 (Classical) → possible Winawer (…Bb4)
- 3. Nd2 (Tarrasch) → our focus in the definitions below
- 3. e5 (Advance)
- 3. exd5 (Exchange) and others
Example Game
Korchnoi – Karpov, World Championship (21), Baguio 1978, featured the Classical (Winawer) and demonstrated how the “bad” bishop erupted onto the long diagonal after …c5 and …Bd7–e8–h5.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The French is one of the very few top-level defenses in which Black voluntarily locks in a bishop on c8 at move 1 (the other common example is the Caro-Kann).
- GM Viktor Korchnoi famously called his French battles “hand-to-hand trench warfare.”
- In computer chess the French scores better than 50 % for Black in many engines’ opening books, largely because its structures are resilient against brute-force tactics.
Tarrasch Variation (of the French Defense)
Definition & Move Order
The Tarrasch Variation arises after:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2
Named after the German theoretician Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch, the line avoids the pinning irritation of the Winawer (…Bb4) and keeps the option of c2-c3 in reserve. Black’s three major replies are:
- 3…c5 – the Open system (subject of the next section);
- 3…Nf6 – Chigorin system;
- 3…dxe4 – Rubinstein system.
Core Ideas
- Flexibility: By placing the knight on d2 instead of c3, White supports e4-e5 without blocking the c-pawn, simultaneously eyeing f3 and b3 squares.
- Reduced Theory vs. Winawer: Many players choose 3.Nd2 to sidestep razor-sharp Winawer complications.
- Dynamic Equality: Modern engines indicate approximate equality if Black knows the plans, making the Tarrasch a balanced but fighting choice for either side.
Typical Plans
- White: Push e4-e5 (in the Chigorin) or obtain a space advantage with c2-c3 & Ngf3 in the Open. Control the e5 square and use harmonious piece placement.
- Black: Break with …c5 (already on move 3 in the Open) or …f6, exchange the bad light-squared bishop via …b6 & …Ba6 or …Bd7–e8–h5.
Illustrative Miniature
Schlechter – Tarrasch, Ostend 1905 (shortened).
Although the game ended quickly due to an oversight, it introduced key motifs of the Open system: symmetrical center, early …Nc6, and pressure on d4.
Historical & Modern Use
The Tarrasch peaked in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s thanks to Karpov, Spassky, and Ulf Andersson. In modern elite chess, players such as Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana still deploy it to create strategic struggles.
Trivia
- Siegbert Tarrasch proclaimed, “Die Tarrasch-Verteidigung ist eine moralische Pflicht!” (“Playing the Tarrasch is a moral duty!”), though historians disagree on whether he was joking.
- The ECO codes C03–C05 are entirely devoted to the Tarrasch sub-systems.
Open Süchting Line (French Defense – Tarrasch Variation)
Definition & Precise Move Order
The Open Süchting Line is a sub-variation of the Tarrasch that continues:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 (the Open system) 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nc6 6. Bb5 (pinning the knight) …Bd6 / …Nf6 / …Qe7 are the usual replies
German master Johannes Süchting (1874-1944) popularized the early Bb5 idea in the 1910s, hence the name. The line often appears in databases under ECO code C04.
Strategic Themes
- Symmetrical Center – Asymmetrical Piece Play: Despite identical pawn structures, the pin on c6 and latent pressure on d5 give each player different tactical resources.
- The Fight for d4 & e5 Squares: White hopes to undermine Black’s d-pawn by rapid c2-c4 or Re1 followed by c4, whereas Black wants …Nf6, …Be7, and often …Bg4 to speed development and target d4.
- Improving the “Bad” Bishop: Black can break the pin with …Bd7 or challenge the bishop via …a6. Converting the c8-bishop into an active piece (…Be6 or …g6 …Bg7) is a recurring strategic goal.
Typical Plans for Both Sides
- White
- Castle kingside quickly (O-O), reposition the d2-knight via f1–g3 or b3.
- Apply pressure on the half-open e-file with Re1.
- Play c2-c4 (sometimes sacrificing a pawn) to open lines and exploit the pin on c6.
- Black
- Neutralize Bb5 through …a6 or …Bd7, then complete development with …Nf6 & …Be7.
- Strike in the center with …cxd4 followed by …Qb6 or …Bg4.
- In some cases adopt a Hedgehog-style setup: pawns on a6, b6, d5, e6 with pieces behind the wall.
Illustrative Game
Adams – Vachier-Lagrave, Dortmund 2013.
The game demonstrated how White’s temporary pawn snatch on c5 can lead to active piece play, while Black eventually seized the initiative after completing development.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Johannes Süchting was a contemporary of Emanuel Lasker and scored several notable victories in German tournaments. Though none of his ideas became mainstream theory, the Bb5 pin remained a respected surprise weapon.
- The line is occasionally labeled “Open Variation, Main Line with 6.Bb5,” but most modern databases keep the Süchting attribution to honor its originator.
- Engines often evaluate the starting position after 6.Bb5 as equal (≈ 0.20), yet practical results slightly favor White, reflecting the nagging pressure of the pin.
Why Study the Süchting Line?
For Tarrasch players seeking to add a less-trodden path to their repertoire, the Süchting Line offers:
- Limited forcing theory compared to the heavily analyzed 6.dxc5 lines.
- Intuitive piece development and clear middlegame plans.
- Good surprise value—opponents meeting 6.Bb5 may not recall the sharpest reply.