French Defense: a practical example
If White advances e5, the center may become locked and Black often attacks its base with c5. The light-squared bishop can require special attention because the e6 pawn restricts its initial route, but that does not make the opening unplayable.
How to use the idea in your games
Follow the pawn structure. Decide which wing offers useful space and when a pawn break changes the character of the position instead of copying moves from an unrelated variation.
A useful study question
Can you explain french defense in your own words, identify it in a position, and describe when the idea does not apply? Test the explanation on a legal board before relying on it.
Connect the ideas
Pawn chain, Space, Bishop are useful next concepts. Follow the links to compare definitions and examples, then return to the complete chess glossary whenever an unfamiliar term appears.
Sources & further reading
References checked September 5, 2026. Linked services are independent of ChessRankings.com™.