ECO C09 · French Defense

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nc6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

6. Bb5+0.31

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line (C09), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Bb5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.31).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.316. Bb5 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O Ne7 9. Nb3 Bd6 10. Re1 O-O
  2. +0.066. h3 cxd4 7. Nb3 Nf6 8. Nfxd4 Bd6 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O Bc7
  3. 0.006. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O Bd6 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. a3 a5 10. Nb3 Ba7

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O Ne7 9. c3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Bb5 for White, continuing Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O Ne7 9. Nb3 Bd6 10. Re1 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.31). The next best moves are 6. h3 (+0.06) and 6. Be2 (0.00).
Is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.31: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line?
C09. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).