Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. d4/2...d5/3. Nd2/3...c5

3...c5 is the Open system of the Tarrasch French. Since 3. Nd2 obstructed White's queen's view of d4, Black strikes at the pawn immediately.

4. exd5 is the mainline. Black may recapture with the 4...exd5, freeing their bishop but leading to an isolated queen's pawn structure, but more usually with 4...Qxd5 (taking advantage of the fact White doesn't have Nc3 to chase it away!). This usually involves White temporarily losing their d4 pawn but will later recover it.

4. Nf3, the Euwe-Keres variation, is a close-second line. White prepares to recapture on d4 with the knight.

Defending the d-pawn with the c-pawn 4. c3!? (the Süchting variation) is playable but, unlike in the Closed Tarrasch, Black may respond 4...dxe4 (White's pawn was still on e4) 5. Nxe4 cxd4 6. cxd4, and White is left with an isolated queen's pawn which will be hard to keep protected.

4. dxc5?! allows 4...Bxc5 and Black's position is better.

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5

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Wikipedia has related information at French Defence

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.