Learn the French Defense
Black vs 1.e4 · C00–C19
Your goal: play the French Defense from memory as Black — keep every move right for two weeks and it's mastered.
Choose a line — start with the main line
Watch the moves · play them from memory · spar: play the opening out against the computer.
You'll play Black — watch each move, I'll explain.
Intro
1. e41… e62. d42… d53. Nc33… Nf64. Bg54… Be7
What you're training
Play ...e6 and ...d5 to challenge the centre and set up a firm pawn chain, then strike back at White's centre with ...c5 (and sometimes ...f6) and play for counterplay on the queenside.
Strengths
- ...e6 prepares ...d5 to challenge the centre, but it shuts in the c8-bishop — managing that 'French bishop' is the defining theme of the opening.
- The game often revolves around pawn chains: White's chain points kingside, Black's points queenside, so each side attacks at the base of the enemy chain.
- ...c5 is Black's thematic counter-strike, hitting the base of White's d4–e5 chain and opening lines for counterplay.
- Black accepts a little less space for a very solid, low-weakness structure and aims to out-manoeuvre White in a long strategic game.
Watch out for
- Don't leave the light-squared bishop boxed in forever — plan to free it (with ...b6 and ...Ba6, or by trading it) or it stays a long-term liability.
- Remember the thematic break ...c5; without it Black often ends up passively cramped with no counterplay against White's space.
- After Bg5 pinning the f6-knight, be ready for tactics on the pin (like the sharp 4...Bb4 and 4...dxe4 lines) rather than developing on autopilot.