French Defense: Tarrasch, Closed, Main Line
French Defense – Tarrasch Variation
Definition
The Tarrasch Variation of the French Defense arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. Instead of the more popular 3.Nc3, White develops the queen’s knight to d2, keeping the c-pawn free and sidestepping the …Bb4 pin that characterises the Winawer. The ECO codes are C03–C06.
Typical Move Orders
After 3.Nd2 Black has three main replies:
- 3…Nf6 (Open System) – the most popular, leading to IQP or isolated e-pawn structures after 4.e5.
- 3…c5 (Guimard System) – an immediate challenge to d4, often resulting in hedgehog-like positions.
- 3…Be7 (Closed System) – a flexible line championed by Korchnoi, often transposing to 3…Nf6 ideas while avoiding certain forcing lines.
Strategic Themes
- Flexibility for White – the knight on d2 can later support c2–c4, f2–f4, or head to f3.
- Avoiding the Winawer Pin – by omitting Nc3 White prevents …Bb4.
- IQP vs. French Pawn Chain – many lines see White accept an isolated queen’s pawn on d4 in exchange for activity.
- Good Endgames for Black – if Black can exchange minor pieces, the d4 pawn may become weak.
Historical Notes
Named after Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch, who popularised 3.Nd2 in the late 19th century as a “safer” way to meet the French. The variation found new life in the 1970s when Anatoly Karpov, Viktor Korchnoi, and later Sergey Tiviakov added it to their repertoires.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following short game shows typical Tarrasch motifs:
Interesting Facts
- In the 2014 Candidates Tournament, Dmitry Andreikin used the 3…c5 line as Black to defeat Levon Aronian, swinging tournament momentum.
- Modern engines consider 3.Nd2 almost as challenging as 3.Nc3, making it a favourite surprise weapon at elite level.
French Defense – Closed Variation (4.e5)
Definition
The Closed Variation of the French Defense generally refers to the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 (or 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5). By advancing the e-pawn, White gains space in the centre and kicks the f6-knight, locking the pawn structure and giving the game its “closed” character. ECO code C11.
Typical Continuations
- 4…Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 (Steinitz Variation) – a strategic battle around the d4 and e5 squares.
- 4…Nfd7 5.Qg4 (Alekhine–Chatard Attack) – White sacrifices the g-pawn to attack on g7.
- 4…Nfd7 5.Bd3 – a solid set-up leading to manoeuvring play.
Strategic Themes
- Space vs. Coordination – White enjoys spatial advantage; Black relies on breaks with …c5 or …f6.
- Bad French Bishop? – Black’s light-squared bishop is often hemmed in but can be liberated by …b6 and …Ba6, or timely …f6.
- Pawn Breaks – For Black: …c5, …f6, sometimes …g5. For White: f4–f5, c2–c3, or even f5–f6.
- Kingside vs. Queenside Plans – White usually attacks the kingside; Black counters on the queenside and centre.
Historical Significance
The line was fashionable in the early 20th century; World Champions Wilhelm Steinitz and Emanuel Lasker experimented with it from the White side. In the 1984 World Championship, Garry Kasparov used the aggressive 5.Qg4 line to score a quick win against Anatoly Karpov (Game 16 of the “Under the Roof” match).
Sample Position
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3, both sides have castling decisions to make and must choose between immediate action (…cxd4) or slow build-up.
Interesting Tidbits
- The famous attacking sacrifice 5.Qg4 was revived by Kasparov, who called the resulting positions “poisoned pawn on steroids.”
- Engines often show a tiny plus for Black out of the opening, yet practical results remain roughly balanced, underscoring the richness of the Closed French.
French Defense – Main Line (3.Nc3)
Definition
When players and opening manuals speak of the “Main Line French,” they usually mean positions after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3. This move keeps maximum central tension, invites either …Bb4 (Winawer) or …Nf6 (Classical), and leads to the largest body of theory in the French Defense. The ECO blocks are C11–C19.
Principal Branches
- 3…Bb4 – the Winawer Variation: razor-sharp play with doubled c-pawns for White.
- 3…Nf6 4.e5 – Classical Closed lines (see previous section).
- 3…Nf6 4.Bg5 – Classical Open line, rich in tactics after 4…Be7 or 4…dxe4.
- 3…dxe4 – Rubinstein Variation, trading in the centre early.
Why It Is the “Main Line”
The move 3.Nc3 maintains the option of supporting e4 with f3 or Exchanging on d5, and it poses the most direct questions to Black’s set-up. Virtually every World Champion from Capablanca to Carlsen has played both sides of these lines.
Strategic Hallmarks
- Dynamic Imbalance – Black often concedes space for counterplay against White’s centre.
- Bishop Pair vs. Structure – In the Winawer, Black gives up the dark-square bishop to double White’s c-pawns, leading to long-term structural battles.
- Timing of …c5 – A critical thematic break to undermine d4.
- King Safety – Opposite-side castling is common, especially in the Winawer Poisoned Pawn (7.Qg4).
Classic Example Game
The Winawer Poisoned Pawn, a hallmark of the Main Line, featured in the spectacular duel:
Karpov – Kasparov, Linares 1994
Historical Anecdote
When the legendary Bobby Fischer prepared to play the 1972 World Championship, he considered adopting the French for the first time in his career specifically because of the richness of 3.Nc3 lines. Although he ultimately stuck with the Sicilian, his second William Lombardy recalled hundreds of pages of analysis dedicated to the French Main Line.
Interesting Facts
- The Winawer Poisoned Pawn (7.Qg4) contains some of the deepest computer-checked theory in chess, with lines exceeding 40 moves.
- In 2022, the engine Stockfish showed a near-equality verdict for Black in the entire 3.Nc3 branch, yet human grandmasters continue to score well with White.