The Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C06. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nb6, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after eight moves. The c-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.
See all 115 French Defense variations →
The Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nb6. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C06.
The Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation is ECO C06. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nb6 at +0.98 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. The c-file file is fully open.