French defence

The French Defence with 2.d4 arises after 1.e4 e6 2.d4. ECO code: C00.

The main move, establishing the classical centre. After 2...d5, the game enters the heart of French Defence theory, with White choosing between 3.Nc3 (Classical/Winawer), 3.Nd2 (Tarrasch), 3.e5 (Advance), 3.exd5 (Exchange), or various sidelines.