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French Defense: La Bourdonnais Variation — play White
After 1.e4 e6 2.f4, you are asking for an ambitious game. This line can lead to sharp play, but the main test is simple: can you handle Black’s best reply and keep your position organised? The drill below drops you into the exact position after the opening moves, with Black to move, so you can practise the critical decisions that matter most. Focus on development, central play, and not giving Black an easy way to equalise.
Play the French Defense: La Bourdonnais Variation against the engine
Free, no signup — you play white, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill now and test whether you can handle Black’s best reply. Create a free account to track your progress and revisit the position anytime.
Create a free account →What the position is asking for
This opening begins with an aggressive claim on space, but it also asks you to be precise. You have pushed the f-pawn early, so king safety and piece development matter quickly. Black’s most reliable answer is d5, and the engine also recommends it as the best move here. Your job is not to win the opening immediately, but to stay coordinated and make sure Black does not seize the centre for free.
What the engine says about the position
Stockfish rates this -0.26, a small edge for Black. That means you are slightly worse here.
The practical lesson is important: this is not a winning attack for White out of the opening. You still have a playable game, but you need to treat the position seriously and meet Black’s central challenge with accurate moves.
Black’s most common replies
The database shows that Black usually answers with d5, by far the most frequent continuation. Other common choices are c5, b6, d6, c6, and Nc6.
For you as White, that means this is a good drill for pattern recognition. The position is not about memorising long lines; it is about recognising which central break Black is most likely to choose, and staying ready for the moves that follow.
Mistakes to watch for
Several replies are flagged as inaccuracies in this exact position. b6 is an inaccuracy, d6 is an inaccuracy, and c6 is an inaccuracy. In each case, the better move was d5.
That is useful for your practical play: if Black chooses one of these slower setups, you may be able to meet the middlegame with a little more comfort. But you should still assume Black knows to strike in the centre and try to keep your own play clean and purposeful.
Results across 6,951,227 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d5 | 3,832,767 | 46.8% |
| c5 | 531,194 | 48.5% |
| b6 | 439,761 | 51.0% |
| d6 | 396,960 | 53.6% |
| c6 | 394,718 | 50.9% |
| Nc6 | 187,728 | 52.6% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the French Defense: La Bourdonnais Variation good for White?
It is playable, but the main engine assessment here is a small edge for Black. So you should not expect an opening advantage just from reaching this position. Treat it as a practical fight where accuracy matters.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
Black’s best move is **d5**. The engine also recommends that move as the key continuation. If you face it over the board, be ready for a central struggle immediately.
What are the most common replies after 1.e4 e6 2.f4?
The database most often shows **d5**, then **c5**, **b6**, **d6**, **c6**, and **Nc6**. The biggest practical takeaway is that Black usually tries to challenge the centre rather than ignore your kingside expansion. Your plans should be built around that idea.
Which moves should I be especially careful about as White?
You should be alert to Black’s central reply **d5**, because it is both the engine’s best move and the most played continuation. If Black chooses **b6**, **d6**, or **c6**, those are marked as inaccuracies, but you still need to respond sensibly and keep developing.
How many games feature the French Defense: La Bourdonnais Variation?
Over 7 million Lichess games have reached the French Defense: La Bourdonnais Variation position. White wins 49.0%, Black wins 47.7%, with 3.3% draws — based on real rated games.