Chess openings / French Defense

French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Main Line

French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Main Line (C13) starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Nf3 O-O. In 281 games between strong players, White wins 43%, 15% are drawn and Black wins 42%; the most played move is 8.c3 (32%).

abcdefgh87654321

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Nf3 O-O

ECO
C13
Games between strong players
281
To move
White
43%15%42%

White wins, draws and Black wins, from this position.

What strong players play next

The moves played most from this position in over-the-board broadcasts and the Lichess Elite Database, how often, and how the games ended.

MovePlayedResultsLeads to
8.c332% (89)44%46%–
8.Qd227% (75)33%15%52%–
8.Bd322% (62)61%34%–
8.Bc46% (18)33%44%23%–
8.Nxf6+5% (15)40%27%33%–
8.Qd33% (7)43%29%28%–

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4

More French Defense lines

Played the French Defense lately?

Enter your Chess.com or Lichess username: every move of your game labelled from Brilliant to Blunder, and where you left theory. Free, no account.