Chessy
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Morozevich Variation
This French Defence line asks you to meet White’s centre with calm development and a timely challenge. After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7, the position is already set for a useful drill: you are Black, it is White to move, and you need to know what White usually tries and how to answer it. The engine’s recommendation and the database results both point to a position where Black must play accurately, not passively.
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Create a free account →What this position is asking from Black
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7, your main job is straightforward: keep your pieces active and be ready to challenge White’s centre. This is a small, solid French structure, so you should not expect a wild attack from the opening move order. Instead, you want a sound setup, good piece placement, and a timely response when White commits to a plan. In this position, Black is not better already; the engine says White has a small edge, so you need practical play and accurate reactions.
The engine’s main recommendation
Stockfish rates this +0.49, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here.
The engine’s best move is Ngf3, and the listed continuation is Ngf3 c5 exd5 exd5. For your drill, the key lesson is simple: White’s most energetic and most trusted approach is to develop naturally, so you should be ready to answer that kind of move with active counterplay in the centre.
What the database says White likes to do
The most common continuation is Ngf3, with 4,401 games and a White score of 51.2%. Bd3 appears in 2,340 games and gives White 54.7%. e5 shows up in 2,333 games with White scoring 48.2%. c3 appears in 1,117 games and White scores 52.9%. exd5 appears 435 times and White scores 47.8%. f4 is less common with 298 games and White scores 47.7%.
That spread tells you White has several normal developing choices, so your preparation should be flexible. Do not assume one move only; learn the position and the ideas behind it.
A mistake to punish in this position
The known mistake here is f4. It is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns; better was Ngf3.
That is useful for your drill because it shows White’s expansion is not automatically safe. If White pushes too early, you should stay alert to the weakness created and respond with active, principled play rather than just defending passively.
Results across 11,723 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Ngf3 | 4,401 | 51.2% |
| Bd3 | 2,340 | 54.7% |
| e5 | 2,333 | 48.2% |
| c3 | 1,117 | 52.9% |
| exd5 | 435 | 47.8% |
| f4 | 298 | 47.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Morozevich Variation good for Black?
The engine does not call this equal for Black. Stockfish gives +0.49, which is a small edge for White, so you should treat it as a playable but slightly uncomfortable position. Black needs accurate moves and active counterplay.
What is White’s most common move here?
Ngf3 is the most played continuation, with 4,401 games in the database. It also gets the engine’s best-move label, so it is the main move to understand in your drill. Learn to meet it without drifting into passive play.
Should I be worried about f4?
Yes, because f4 is marked as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns. The database also shows it is not White’s main choice. If you see it, you should recognise that White has overreached and play actively.
What kind of position am I aiming for as Black?
You are aiming for a solid French centre with active piece play and a timely challenge to White’s centre. The opening is not about memorising a long forced line here. It is about handling White’s most common developing moves and keeping the position under control.
How many games feature the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Morozevich Variation?
Over 11K Lichess games have reached the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Morozevich Variation position. White wins 51.1%, Black wins 45.5%, with 3.4% draws — based on real rated games.