French Defense: all variations and ECO codes

212 named lines across 20 ECO codes (C00–C19). Source: the CC0-licensed lichess.org opening database.

The idea

The 212 named lines here split mainly on how White handles the center after Black’s third move: the Winawer Variation (3...Bb4) accepts doubled pawns for the bishop pair and a long-term structural target, the Advance Variation locks the center with e5 and fights over the resulting pawn chain, the Exchange Variation trades everything on d5 for a quieter, more symmetrical game, and the Tarrasch (3.Nd2) sidesteps the sharpest Winawer theory while keeping White’s own structure intact.

The main line

Position after 1.e4 e6 (C00). Open this line on Lichess → · French Defense on Lichess

How the main line scores at your rating

Real Lichess win rates for 1.e4 e6, playing as black: the family’s other variations are not separately tracked for win rate yet, main line only.

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Win/draw/loss rate by rating band
Rating bandGamesWhite / draw / BlackScore for black
1400-1600 9,446 White/draw/black: 48.4% / 3.5% / 48.1% 48.4% / 3.5% / 48.1% 49.8%
1600-1800 11,261 White/draw/black: 47.9% / 4.2% / 48.0% 47.9% / 4.2% / 48.0% 50.0%
1800-2000 9,907 White/draw/black: 48.1% / 4.9% / 46.9% 48.1% / 4.9% / 46.9% 49.4%
2000+ 7,689 White/draw/black: 48.2% / 6.6% / 45.1% 48.2% / 6.6% / 45.1% 48.4%

All 212 named variations

Every named line in the French Defense family, from the CC0-licensed ECO classification: not separately tracked for win rate, but every ECO code and move sequence is real, sourced data.

Browse more

ECO Volume C: Open Games and the French Defense → · All ECO families → · Search and play every line in the interactive explorer →

Related

French Defense (full deep-dive)

Real replies, common mistakes, and master games for one curated line.

Bishop’s Opening

41 named lines, ECO C23

Center Game

18 named lines, ECO C20

Four Knights Game

49 named lines, ECO C47