Weekly Opening Analysis

The French Defense meets 1.e4 with 1...e6, preparing to counter the e4 pawn with 2...d5. Black blocks in their light-squared bishop, but gains a solid pawn chain and counter-attacking possibilities. The French Defense is named after a 1834 correspondence game between the cities of London and Paris, in which the French defense was utilized.

Pros:

• Sound structure
• Sharp counterattacking possibilities
• Original type of game

Cons:

• Black has a space disadvantage
• Light-squared bishop is locked in
• Can become passive

Famous Practitioners: Viktor Korchnoi, Aron Nimzowitsch