French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6

ECO C05

The French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation is a chess opening line in the French Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6.

It is catalogued under code C05 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nf6 is chosen by Black on move 3.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Main Line.

Named variations

• French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation, Main Line — ECO C06

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the French Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.