ECO code: C02
French Defense: Advance Variation, Extended Bishop Swap
This line arises after the moves 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bd7. Here, Black delays the usual ...c5 break and instead develops the bishop to d7, preparing to exchange White’s dark-squared bishop if given the chance.
Characteristic of this move: The move 3...Bd7 is somewhat uncommon and aims to neutralize White’s powerful light-squared bishop by preparing an early bishop exchange. This can reduce White’s attacking potential on the kingside and supports Black’s plan to challenge White’s center later.
Attacking or Defensive: From Black’s perspective, this move is mainly defensive and positional, focusing on solidifying the position and limiting White’s space advantage rather than immediate counterattack. For White, the position remains attacking as White tries to maintain and expand the central space advantage.
Center Control: The Advance Variation itself is centered around White’s strong pawn chain in the center (d4 and e5). Black’s 3...Bd7 does not directly contest the center immediately but is a preparatory move that supports future challenges to White’s center, often followed by ...c5 and ...Nc6 to undermine White’s pawns.
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: Advance Variation, Extended Bishop Swap, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 3 - Move #9 black