C05 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Botvinnik Variation

12/12
1.e4e62.d4d53.Nd2Nf64.e5Nfd75.Bd3c56.c3b6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Botvinnik Variation19k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
64%12k54%
13%2.5k49%
8.4%1.6k53%
7.5%1.4k51%
3.3%62151%
1.1%21053%
1.1%20058%
0.5%9361%
0.5%8855%
0.2%3854%
Famous games in this line633 master games
Howell, David (2633) – Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2730)20111–0Akopian, Vladimir (2630) – Short, Nigel D (2695)19961–0Efimenko, Zahar (2689) – Socko, Bartosz (2635)20121–0Ni, Hua (2710) – Korobov, Anton (2605)20080–1Cheparinov, I. (2715) – Lopez Martinez, Josep (2581)2018½–½Ye, Jiangchuan (2670) – Kortschnoj, Viktor (2620)2000½–½Efimenko, Zahar (2638) – Socko, Bartosz (2635)2008½–½Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2675) – Jussupow, Artur (2583)20041–0
Heroes of this opening Howell, David · Akopian, Vladimir · Efimenko, Zahar · Korobov, Anton
Family
French Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C05
Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 b6
Sharp
★ Read the guide: French DefenseExplore all 212 French Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
French Defense: St. George Defense, Traditional LineC00 2…a6 3.Nf3 b5 4.Bd3 c5 5.c3 …French Defense: Advance Variation, Lputian VariationC02 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 …French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Lasker VariationC12 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e5 h6 …
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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