Editing French Defence (section)

==Basics==
{{Chess diagram  
| tright
|
|rd|nd|bd|qd|kd|bd|nd|rd
|pd|pd|pd|  |  |pd|pd|pd
|  |  |  |  |pd|  |  |
|  |  |  |pd|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |pl|pl|  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|pl|pl|pl|  |  |pl|pl|pl
|rl|nl|bl|ql|kl|bl|nl|rl
|Position after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5
}}
Following the opening moves 1.e4 e6, the main line of the French Defence continues 2.d4 d5 (see [[#Early deviations for White|below]] for alternatives). White sets up a {{chessgloss|pawn centre}}, which Black immediately challenges by attacking the pawn on e4. The same position can be reached by [[Transposition (chess)|transposition]] from a [[Queen's Pawn Game]] after 1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5 or the declining of a [[Blackmar–Diemer Gambit]] after 1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6.

White's options include defending the e4-pawn with 3.Nc3 or 3.Nd2, advancing it with 3.e5, or exchanging it with 3.exd5, each of which leads to different types of positions. Defending the pawn with 3.Bd3 allows 3...dxe4 4.Bxe4 Nf6, when Black gains either a [[Tempo (chess)|tempo]] or the advantage of {{chessgloss|bishop pair|the two bishops}}.