French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line (C07)

The Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C07. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6, reaching the position shown below after 20 half-moves.

The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after ten moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; the d-file file is fully open.

On the French Defense generally: A solid defense where Black builds a strong pawn chain. Leads to strategic middlegames with clear plans.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Position characteristics

• Piece-play centre
• Open file

Related French Defense lines

• Tarrasch Variation, Botvinnik Variation
• Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation
• Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation, Main Line
• Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation
• Tarrasch Variation, Eliskases Variation
• Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Advance Line
• Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Main Line
• Rubinstein Variation, Capablanca Line
• Reversed Philidor Formation
• St. George Defense, Traditional Line
• Exchange Variation, Bogoljubow Variation
• Exchange Variation, Svenonius Variation

See all 115 French Defense variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line?

The Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C07.

What is the ECO code for the Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line?

The Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line is ECO C07. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.

Is the Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6 at +0.37 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Tarrasch Variation, Chistyakov Defense, Modern Line lead to?

The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; the d-file file is fully open.