Chess opening · ECO C03
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation
The French Defense: Tarrasch Variation starts 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2. It ranks #111 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... e6Black advances the e-pawn to e6.
- 2. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
- 2... d5Black pushes the d-pawn two squares to d5, staking a claim in the center.
- 3. Nd2White develops the queenside knight to d2.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated 1200–1399, the most popular next move is c5; among players rated 2000 and up, it is Nf6.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | c5 38% | dxe4 33% | Nf6 17% |
| 1400–1599 | c5 44% | Nf6 25% | dxe4 20% |
| 1600–1799 | c5 33% | Nf6 31% | dxe4 24% |
| 1800–1999 | Nf6 41% | c5 26% | dxe4 24% |
| 2000 and up | Nf6 52% | c5 24% | dxe4 15% |
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