Chessy
French Defense: Schlechter Variation as White
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Bd3, you reach a very balanced position. Stockfish gives it -0.01, so the game is essentially equal, and your goal is simple: understand the most natural Black replies and choose the right way to continue. This is a good drill for learning a solid French setup without memorising long lines. Pay attention to the engine’s best answer and the replies that appear most often in practice, then try to beat them over the board.
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Create a free account →A quiet position with real decisions
This opening does not hand you a big advantage for free. The position after 3.Bd3 is calm, but it is not harmless: both sides are already fighting for central control and piece activity. Stockfish rates this -0.01, a tiny edge for Black. That means you are basically level, so your practical task is to stay accurate and avoid drifting into a worse middlegame. Good opening habits still matter here: develop smoothly, keep your king safe, and be ready to respond to Black’s most direct central play.
The move you must know first
The engine’s best move is dxe4, and that is the critical reply to understand in this drill. In the line given, the idea continues with dxe4 Bxe4 c5 Nf3, so Black immediately challenges the centre and asks your bishop to make a decision. This is exactly the kind of moment where a small opening mistake can change the whole game. If you are learning this variation as White, make sure you are comfortable meeting that central reaction without panic.
What the database says
The exact position has been reached in 582,422 games in the Lichess database, so this is not some rare sideline. White wins 49.5%, draws 3.7%, and Black wins 46.8%, which matches the engine’s message that the position is very close. The most played continuations are c5 (214,783 games, White scores 49.6%), dxe4 (174,553 games, White scores 48.0%), Nf6 (105,439 games, White scores 48.4%), Nc6 (38,832 games, White scores 52.9%), c6 (12,081 games, White scores 53.2%), and a6 (7,046 games, White scores 52.3%).
The replies to punish or respect
A few Black moves are already marked as inaccuracies here. Nf6 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.9 pawns, with dxe4 being better. c6 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, again with dxe4 being better. a6 is another inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, with dxe4 as the better move. In practical terms, you should welcome these slower moves, but still stay alert: the best way to punish them is to keep playing sensible chess and not give back the initiative.
Results across 582,422 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| c5 | 214,783 | 49.6% |
| dxe4 | 174,553 | 48.0% |
| Nf6 | 105,439 | 48.4% |
| Nc6 | 38,832 | 52.9% |
| c6 | 12,081 | 53.2% |
| a6 | 7,046 | 52.3% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the French Defense: Schlechter Variation good for White?
This exact position is not a big edge for either side. Stockfish gives -0.01, so it is essentially equal, and the game is still very much about who handles the next few moves better. As White, you should aim for clean development and good central play rather than expect an opening win.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is dxe4. In the line given, it continues with dxe4 Bxe4 c5 Nf3, which shows Black’s direct central reaction. If you know that reply, you are much less likely to be surprised in the drill.
Which Black replies appear most often?
The most played continuations are c5, dxe4, Nf6, Nc6, c6, and a6. The database also shows this position is common, with 582,422 games at the exact position. That makes it a useful practical training spot, not just a theory curiosity.
What should I learn from the bad moves here?
Nf6, c6, and a6 are all marked as inaccuracies, and in each case dxe4 is the better move. That tells you Black should usually meet this setup with active central play rather than quiet waiting moves. For White, the lesson is to stay alert when Black does not challenge the centre immediately.
How many games feature the French Defense: Schlechter Variation?
Over 582K Lichess games have reached the French Defense: Schlechter Variation position. White wins 49.5%, Black wins 46.8%, with 3.7% draws — based on real rated games.