Chessy
French Defense: Advance Variation — play White confidently
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5, White grabs space and asks Black to solve an immediate strategic problem. The position is already sharp enough to matter, but not so tactical that you need memorised lines. Your drill below starts from the exact position after 3.e5, with Black to move, so you can practise the plans and reactions that come up most often. The main lesson is simple: White has space, Black has a clear challenge, and the next move matters.
Play the French Defense: Advance Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →What this structure is really about
The Advance Variation usually gives White more room in the centre, while Black tries to hit back before that space becomes a long-term advantage. That means you should think in terms of plans, not just tactics: keep your centre usable, stay alert to counterplay, and be ready to meet the most common pawn break. Stockfish rates this +0.46, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here, but only if you handle Black’s response well.
The move you will see most often
The engine’s best move is c5, and it is also by far the most common continuation in practice. In the database it appears in 19,013,065 games, so you should expect it again and again in your training. The idea is direct: Black challenges your centre immediately and aims to make your extra space less comfortable. If you are White, do not drift — this is the moment to understand how to keep your position solid and flexible.
What the numbers say about the choices
Across 25,423,277 games at this exact position, White wins 45.8%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 50.4%. That is a good reminder that this position is not a free ride for White, even though the engine gives you a small edge. Other continuations also appear a lot: Nc6 in 2,371,797 games, f6 in 1,017,691, Ne7 in 606,479, a6 in 527,677, and Bb4+ in 360,651. The practical message is clear: know the main reactions, but stay ready for less common tries too.
The moves to be ready for
The listed mistakes are especially useful for training. Nc6 is marked an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, with c5 better. f6 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns, again with c5 better. Bb4+ is another inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns, with c5 better. When you face these moves, your job is not to guess at a trap, but to recognise that Black has stepped away from the strongest central challenge.
Results across 25,423,277 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| c5 | 19,013,065 | 43.7% |
| Nc6 | 2,371,797 | 53.1% |
| f6 | 1,017,691 | 52.0% |
| Ne7 | 606,479 | 48.1% |
| a6 | 527,677 | 47.5% |
| Bb4+ | 360,651 | 57.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea of the French Defense: Advance Variation for White?
White takes space with 3.e5 and forces Black to react to the advanced centre. The position is still balanced enough that Black’s most energetic reply matters a lot, so the opening is about handling pressure well rather than memorising one forcing line.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine’s best move is c5, and it is also the most-played continuation. That tells you Black should challenge White’s centre immediately instead of slowing the game down.
Is White better here?
Stockfish rates the position +0.46, which is a small edge for White. But the database results show that Black scores very well too, so you still need accurate play after Black’s central counterplay.
Which replies should I know most from the drill?
You should be ready for c5 first, since it is both the engine choice and the most common move. The database also shows Nc6, f6, Ne7, a6, and Bb4+ as frequent practical tries, and Nc6, f6, and Bb4+ are listed as inaccuracies.
How many games feature the French Defense: Advance Variation?
Over 25 million Lichess games have reached the French Defense: Advance Variation position. White wins 45.8%, Black wins 50.4%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.