# Chess openings: What is the French Defense?

Looking for a new opening to learn? Discover the French Defense!

Learning openings requires understanding chess notation, the system for naming pieces and moves. [Get a refresher on chess notation here](https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-notation/)!

## French Defense: 3 quick facts

- The French Defense’s name derives from a correspondence match played between London and Paris.
- It’s an extremely reliable, [positional](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#positional) Black opening that consistently appears at the [top levels](https://blog.duolingo.com/how-to-become-a-chess-grandmaster/) in chess.
- With many [mainlines](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#mainline), there is a lot of [theory](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#theory) to choose from in the French Defense. One downside is that Black can feel a bit cramped in many [lines](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#line) due to a slight space disadvantage and a light-squared [bishop](https://blog.duolingo.com/bishop-chess-piece/) that is often trapped behind its own [pawn chain](https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-pawn/#pawn-chains), limiting its activity.

## French Defense: the moves

Here are the moves for the French Defense:

1. e4 e6

## Ready to learn the French Defense?

The French Defense usually leads to slower, [closed](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#closed) positions with lots of careful [maneuvering](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#maneuvering). For a [solid](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#solid) opening that steers clear of [open](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#open), [tactical](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#tactical) games, try the French!

If you’re looking for more openings, check out [our guide featuring over 30 options](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/) for every skill level!