C03 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Guimard Defense, Thunderbunny Variation

10/10
1.e4e62.d4d53.Nd2Nc64.c3dxe45.Nxe4e5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Guimard Defense, Thunderbunny Variation3.1k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
58%1.8k60%
21%66155%
8.7%27357%
4.6%14551%
3%9360%
1.3%4150%
1.2%3959%
0.6%1971%
0.6%1856%
0.3%850%
Famous games in this line1 master games
Dzhumaev, Marat (2489) – Filippov, Anton (2613)20110–1
Family
French Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C03
Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. c3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 e5
★ 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, Euwe VariationC02 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7French Defense: Advance Variation, Wade VariationC02 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7
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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