Puzzles from the French Defense
Rating 1030White to move. Find the best move.
Puzzle
White to move. Find the best move.
Your move.
Solve it to see the moves
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Opening
French Defense
Black plays 1... e6 and then 2... d5 to challenge the e4 pawn with solid support. The pawn chains decide where each side attacks.
- 1. e4 e6
- Chosen by Black
- 16,911 puzzles
- Average rating 1437
The position after 1. e4 e6
What French Defense puzzles look like
Counted from 16,911 puzzlesThe fork is the most common tactic in French Defense puzzles, in 13% of them. 28% end in checkmate. The average puzzle rating is 1437.
Most common tactics
Ideas in the French Defense
- Attack the base of the chainWhen White pushes e5, Black hits the pawn chain with ...c5 and often ...f6.
- The light-squared bishopBlack’s bishop on c8 is shut in behind the e6 pawn. Finding a job for it is a main task.
- Opposite wingsWhite often has more space on the kingside, while Black plays on the queenside.