Chessy
French Defense: Paulsen Variation — White to play
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3, you reach the French Defense: Paulsen Variation with Black to move. This is a practical opening for White: the position is sharp enough to reward accurate play, but the current evaluation still gives you a small edge. The drill below helps you meet the main replies and recognise the critical choices fast, so you can play the opening with confidence instead of guessing.
Play the French Defense: Paulsen Variation against the engine
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Play the drill and test your move choices against an adapting engine. Create a free account to keep practising this opening and build confidence move by move.
Create a free account →What the position says right away
Stockfish rates this +0.40, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here.
The big message is simple: you have a healthy position, but nothing is automatic. You still need to answer Black’s best setup accurately, and the drill is designed to make that reply feel familiar. Treat this as a position where good development and a clear plan matter more than memorising long lines.
The engine’s main reply to know
The engine’s best move here is Nf6, and the listed continuation is Nf6 e5 Nfd7 Nce2. That is the line to be ready for in the drill, because it shows how Black aims to challenge your centre and keep the game solid.
For White, the practical lesson is to stay calm and keep your pieces active. You do not need to force anything; you need to play the position with purpose and avoid drifting into a passive middlegame.
What the database says about real games
At this exact position, the Lichess database shows 8,317,767 games. White wins 50.2%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 46.0%.
Those numbers support the engine’s message: White is doing a little better, but Black still has plenty of chances. In other words, this is not a refutation of the French, just a position where accurate play from White is rewarded. If you want to keep the edge, you should know the common replies and be ready to meet them cleanly.
The most common replies and one trap to watch
The most-played continuations from here are dxe4 (1,957,749 games, White scores 50.4%), Nf6 (1,896,652 games, White scores 46.9%), c5 (1,827,627 games, White scores 52.9%), Bb4 (1,630,894 games, White scores 49.4%), c6 (389,211 games, White scores 51.8%), and Nc6 (235,440 games, White scores 53.0%).
One known mistake is c5, which is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns; better was Nf6. In practical terms, that means you should pay attention when Black chooses an active central strike. If Black gets the timing wrong, you can punish it; if Black plays the best move, you still have a slightly better game to work with.
Results across 8,317,767 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| dxe4 | 1,957,749 | 50.4% |
| Nf6 | 1,896,652 | 46.9% |
| c5 | 1,827,627 | 52.9% |
| Bb4 | 1,630,894 | 49.4% |
| c6 | 389,211 | 51.8% |
| Nc6 | 235,440 | 53.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the French Defense: Paulsen Variation good for White?
Yes, this page gives White a small edge. Stockfish rates the position +0.40, and the database also shows White scoring a little better at this exact position. You still need accurate play, but you are not fighting from a disadvantage.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is Nf6. The listed continuation is Nf6 e5 Nfd7 Nce2, which shows Black’s main plan is to challenge the centre and stay solid. That is the reply you should know first in the drill.
What are the most common moves Black plays here?
The most-played continuations are dxe4, Nf6, c5, Bb4, c6, and Nc6. Since these are the moves you are most likely to face, the drill is most useful when you practise reacting to them cleanly. The opening becomes much easier once those replies feel familiar.
Is c5 a mistake in this position?
Yes. The known mistake list says c5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.7 pawns; better was Nf6. So if Black chooses c5, you should be alert for a chance to take advantage of the weaker choice.
How many games feature the French Defense: Paulsen Variation?
Over 8 million Lichess games have reached the French Defense: Paulsen Variation position. White wins 50.2%, Black wins 46.0%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.