French Defense
The idea for black in the french defense is to undermine whites center as soon as possible. With e6 and e5 black immediately fights for control in the center.
Video Content
The french defence is covered a lot on YouTube.
For example, Hanging Pawns has a series on the opening with 8 videos. In the series he discusses the main variations of the opening and explains the ideas of the theory in an understandable way.
Ben Finegold also has a lecture on the opening for the Saint Louis Chess Club: Introduction to the French Defence | Kids’ Class
History
The name of the French defense dates from 1834. In the middle of a correspondence chess competition between a London team and one from Paris, the French responded to the opening move 1. e4, by the Londoners, with the move 1. … e6 and won the game.
Studies about the French Defense
Learn the French Defense using public studies.
French Defence
195 by JaA study about the French Defense. Going over the important themes and covering multiple sidelines. Created by lichess user Mr_Pennings: https://lichess.org/study/A4EBp7Ds
Rozman French Defense by Gotham Chess
45 by alphadaveThe Rozman French Defense as studied by IM Levy (GothamChess). Link to the youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLH1Yw6skaI
French Defense by GM Simon Williams
17 by PantoufleGM Simon Williams has played the French Defense throughout his whole career and it has served him well, even against strong opposition. Now Simon presents an in-depth course on how to handle every line of the French. It's a great system, allowing you to play for a win against all levels of opposition.
Napoleon's French Defence - Complete Repertoire
6 by BlitzableOnLiStudyAs a Caro Kann Player and an e4 player, I often frowned upon the French Defence and it isn't something of a good defence to meet the move e4. Why is that?Well my first reason is that the French Defence blockades the LSB (Light Square Bishop) which turns it into a horrible and passive bishop. Second reason is that black often has a weakness around his central pawn. A permanent weakness in which would ultimately may cause Black's downfall in the upcoming future. That is the e pawn. In most positions the e pawn often serves as a backward pawn in which would serve as a permanent weakness around Black's position. Third of all the French Defence gives white a spacious advantage with the advanced variation of the French Defence. White often gets an overextend central control in which may cause black challenges alongside White's attack on the kingside.Forth the French Defence's kingside is often attacked by White's But either ways I made amends. Thanks to Simon Kim Williams!
French Defense study by Lenin Perez
5 by fatewind1Practicing the variations of Lenin Perez's French Defense study from Lichess.
Play against Stockfish
Do you want to try out the French Defense? Train this opening against Stockfish.
Play against Stockfish either as white or black and explore the opening.