The French Defence

Not all chess players like open games and tactical slugfests. The French Defense, the opening featured in this article is a slower paced but equally combative opening. Black is often saddled with a “bad” light-squared bishop but gets good counterplay against white’s center. This opening is ideal for players who like a slower paced and more strategically complicated struggle. Check out why this opening was a favorite of all-time greats like Botvinnik, Petrosian, and Kortchnoi.