C11 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

French Defense: Henneberger Variation

7/7
1.e4e62.d4d53.Nc3Nf64.Be3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
French Defense: Henneberger Variation60k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
49%30k43%
18%11k51%
14%8.3k46%
5.3%3.2k49%
4.2%2.5k49%
2.5%1.5k42%
1.4%86151%
1.4%83343%
0.9%56149%
0.9%51746%
Famous games in this line2 master games
Deschamp, Guy (2369) – Simon, Holger (2218)2004½–½Simons, Martin (2248) – Twyble, Michael (2214)20000–1
Family
French Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C11
Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be3
★ Read the guide: French DefenseExplore all 212 French Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
French Defense: Wing GambitC00 2.Nf3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4French Defense: Carlson GambitC00 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Ne5French Defense: Orthoschnapp GambitC00 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 exd5 4.Qb3
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.

Study this opening
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