Chessy
French: Tarrasch Variation — play White confidently
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2, you reach the French: Tarrasch Variation with White to move in the drill position. It is a practical opening choice: you keep the centre flexible, avoid some direct confrontations, and invite Black to choose a path. The key idea is simple — know what Black is trying to do, then react with good development and central play. Use the drill below to practise the critical position and punish the replies that drift too far.
Play the French: Tarrasch Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is asking you to handle
Stockfish rates this +0.36, a small edge for White. That means you stand a little better here, but the game is still very much playable for both sides. The opening has already reached an important crossroads, so your job is not to memorize a long tree of moves — it is to understand the main replies and stay accurate when Black chooses a plan. In this structure, your pieces and centre matter more than early tactics. Keep developing smoothly, stay alert to central tension, and be ready for Black to challenge your setup at once.
The move Black wants most
The engine's best move here is c5, and that is also the most common continuation in the database. In practical terms, Black is aiming for active central pressure and a direct fight over the d4 pawn structure. The listed engine line continues c5 exd5 Qxd5 Ngf3, which tells you the general shape of the position: central tension, piece development, and quick mobilisation. If you know this is Black's main idea, you are much less likely to be surprised in the drill.
What the database says about the main replies
The database shows that this exact position has been played a huge number of times, and White scores well enough to make the opening appealing for club play. The most-played continuations are c5, Nf6, dxe4, Nc6, Bb4, and c6. That spread is useful: Black has several tries, but none of them changes the basic need for sound development and good central control. If you are learning the variation, focus on recognising the type of position that follows each common reply rather than hunting for one forced script.
Common inaccuracies to recognise
Two specific moves are flagged as inaccuracies here: Nc6 and Bb4. In both cases, the note says the move loses about 0.6 to 0.7 pawns, and that c5 was better. That is a clear warning sign for your drill work: if Black plays one of these, you should know it is not the most accurate choice and you can keep your confidence. Still, do not relax just because Black makes a mistake — respond with the same basics every time: develop, keep the centre under control, and avoid giving back the advantage with careless play.
Results across 1,774,280 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| c5 | 645,851 | 51.1% |
| Nf6 | 473,981 | 51.0% |
| dxe4 | 395,538 | 53.3% |
| Nc6 | 76,821 | 56.9% |
| Bb4 | 47,209 | 61.1% |
| c6 | 36,437 | 56.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the French: Tarrasch Variation good for White?
Yes, this page is for White, and the evaluation is a small edge in your favour. The opening is not about crushing Black immediately; it is about reaching a sound position where you can play confidently and react well to the main replies.
What is Black's best move in this position?
The engine's best move here is c5. It is also the most-played continuation, so you should expect it often in practice and be ready for the resulting central fight.
Which replies should I watch out for most?
The most common continuations listed are c5, Nf6, dxe4, Nc6, Bb4, and c6. The moves Nc6 and Bb4 are specifically marked as inaccuracies, so those are worth recognising quickly in the drill.
What should I be aiming for as White?
Keep your development smooth and stay alert to the centre. The position is still early, and the main challenge is to choose sensible moves against Black's active setup rather than forcing tactics too soon.
How many games feature the French: Tarrasch Variation?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the French: Tarrasch Variation position. White wins 52.4%, Black wins 43.7%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.