♞Chess Trainer
C02bPlay as Black2 lines to train

Learn the French Advance

A space-gaining French structure where White closes the center and Black attacks its base. Black aims to attack d4 with c5 and create play against the pawn chain.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6

1.e41…e62.d42…d53.e53…c54.c34…Nc6

The idea

Why this opening works

The French Advance gives Black a clear route to attack d4 with c5 and create play against the pawn chain. Its recurring positions revolve around pawn-chain strategy, the c5 break, and the good-versus-bad bishop battle, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 8 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 6 positions

  1. Position 1 of 6

    1...e6

    e7 → e6

    e6 begins the French Advance plan: attack d4 with c5 and create play against the pawn chain.

  2. Position 2 of 6

    2...d5

    d7 → d5

    d5 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  3. Position 3 of 6

    3...c5

    c7 → c5

    c5 changes the queenside structure and supports the opening’s main counterplay.

  4. Position 4 of 6

    4...Nc6

    b8 → c6

    Nc6 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  5. Position 5 of 6

    3...b6

    b7 → b6

    b6 changes the queenside structure and supports the opening’s main counterplay.

  6. Position 6 of 6

    4...Ba6

    c8 → a6

    Ba6 activates the bishop on a diagonal that supports the opening’s central and kingside ideas.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6
Line 21. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 b6 4. Nf3 Ba6

Quick answers

French Advance questions

What is the French Advance?

A space-gaining French structure where White closes the center and Black attacks its base. Black aims to attack d4 with c5 and create play against the pawn chain. The French Advance gives Black a clear route to attack d4 with c5 and create play against the pawn chain. Its recurring positions revolve around pawn-chain strategy, the c5 break, and the good-versus-bad bishop battle, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the French Advance?

This trainer starts with 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the French Advance good to learn as Black?

It can be a useful part of a Black repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

B20bSicilian DefenseFight for the initiative as Black with 1...c5 — asymmetric and combative.1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5C00bFrench DefenseA resilient and strategic defense to 1.e4 with 1...e6.1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+B10bCaro-Kann DefenseA rock-solid defense to 1.e4 with 1...c6 — reliable structure and easy development.1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the French Advance from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

Start the free drillAll opening guides