Theoria
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French Defense

Tarrasch Variation, Guimard Defense, Main Line

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  1. 1.e4e6
  2. 2.d4d5
  3. 3.Nd2Nc6
  4. 4.Ngf3Nf6
1,671 games46%48%

Main line of the Guimard Defense in the Tarrasch French: Black's 4...Nf6 provokes e4-e5, after which ...f6 must replace the unavailable ...c5 break.

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About the Main Line

After 4. Ngf3, Black develops the other knight with 4...Nf6, hitting e4 and inviting White to gain space. The advance 5. e5 is chosen in the large majority of games. Black then retreats with 5...Nd7 and aims to dissolve the e5-pawn with ...f6, since the knight on c6 rules out ...c5. Theory slightly favors White after 6. Be2 or 6. Nb3. The quieter 5. Bd3 and 5. exd5 are occasional alternatives, and online results are close to level.

Popular continuations