ECO code: C00
French Defense: St. George Defense
The opening sequence begins with 1. e4 e6 2. d4 a6. This variation is an offbeat line within the French Defense where Black delays the typical central counterattack in favor of a preparatory flank move.
Characteristic of the move: The move 2...a6 is a flexible, somewhat provocative waiting move. It prevents White's minor pieces or pawns from occupying the b5-square and prepares a potential b5 expansion by Black. This idea is reminiscent of the St. George Defense (1. e4 a6), but here it appears in the French Defense setup, aiming to avoid well-trodden mainline theory.
Attacking or Defensive: For Black, this move is primarily positional and somewhat defensive, as it does not immediately challenge White's strong center but sets the stage for counterplay on the queenside. White, having established a strong central presence with pawns on e4 and d4, maintains an attacking posture in the center.
Center Control: This opening does not directly attack the center from Black's side early on. Instead, Black adopts a more patient approach, focusing on undermining White's center later via flank maneuvers. White, by contrast, occupies and controls the center aggressively.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the French Defense: St. George Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 6 - Move #6 black