C02 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

French Defense: Advance Variation, Euwe Variation

10/10
1.e4e62.d4d53.e5c54.c3Nc65.Nf3Bd7
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
French Defense: Advance Variation, Euwe Variation2.2M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
32%692k49%
20%433k47%
18%378k51%
11%239k38%
8.9%192k42%
2.1%46k36%
1.7%37k44%
1.4%31k50%
1.4%31k47%
0.9%20k40%
Famous games in this line5.4k master games
Giri, A. (2760) – Carlsen, M. (2864)20220–1Caruana, F.. (2820) – Nepomniachtchi, I.. (2792)20211–0Caruana, F.. (2820) – Nepomniachtchi, I.. (2792)2021½–½Caruana, F.. (2820) – Nepomniachtchi, I.. (2792)2021½–½Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2788) – Caruana, F. (2795)20161–0Topalov, V. (2760) – Caruana, F. (2823)20160–1Grischuk, A. (2750) – Carlsen, M. (2832)20170–1Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2783) – Erigaisi, Arjun (2797)2024½–½
Heroes of this opening Carlsen, M. · Caruana, F.. · Vachier Lagrave, Maxime
Family
French Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C02
Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7
★ Read the guide: French DefenseExplore all 212 French Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
French Defense: Steinitz VariationC11 3.Nc3 a6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.e5 Nfd7French Defense: Advance Variation, Wade VariationC02 4…Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7French Defense: Winawer Variation, Retreat VariationC17 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Ba5
From the archives

In 1834 the city of Paris beat the city of London in a correspondence match opening with 1...e6, and the defense has carried the name ever since. Botvinnik and Korchnoi built careers on its cramped-then-counterpunch character: concede space, then break with ...c5 or ...f6 at the right moment.

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