Chess Openings Lab
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French Defense: Horwitz Attack

The Horwitz Attack is 2.b3, preparing to fianchetto White's dark bishop on b2 against the French. White aims the bishop down the long diagonal toward g7, while Black takes the center with ...d5, since e4 is now harder to support.

Moves
1.e4 e6 2.b3
ECO
C00
Engine
−0.28 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,546 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Bb2 next, aiming at e5 and g7, then Nf3 and Be2 or the light bishop to d3.
  • Trade on d5 with exd5 when Black pressures e4, keeping the position open for the b2 bishop.
  • Use d4 at the right moment to grab center space, as the second engine line does.
  • A queen move to e2 can protect e4 without blocking the b2 bishop.

Black

  • 2...d5 hits e4 at once; White must decide how to hold it.
  • Develop with ...Nc6, then pin a white knight on f3 with ...Bg4.
  • Push ...d4 to block the b2 bishop's diagonal and gain space in the center.
  • ...c5 and ...Nc6 build a Sicilian-like setup that fights for the d4 square.

Plans and pawn structure

White's b3 and Bb2 change the French: the bishop on b2 is strong if the center opens, so Black often blocks it with ...d4 or keeps the position closed. White develops with Nf3, Be2 and short castling, and looks for exd5 to free the b2 bishop. Black's plan is simple development with ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...Bg4, and pressure on e4 while White spends a tempo on b3.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.28: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.28 2...d5 3.Bb2 Nc6 4.exd5 exd5 5.Nf3
  2. −0.25 2...Nc6 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Be2
  3. −0.10 2...a6 3.Qe2 c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bb2

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,546 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.4%.

under 120054.3%
1200–159950.5%
1600–199952.0%
2000 and up54.0%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As Black, play 2...d5 and develop with ...Nc6 and ...Nf6. If White's bishop goes to b2, consider ...d4 to blunt it. Do not open the center needlessly with early trades; the b2 bishop loves open diagonals, and every exchange on d5 or e4 helps it.

Questions

What are the moves of the French Defense: Horwitz Attack?

The French Defense: Horwitz Attack starts 1.e4 e6 2.b3. Its ECO code is C00.

Is the French Defense: Horwitz Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.28 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,546 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.4%. An offbeat, low-theory choice for White players who like bishops on long diagonals, but Black equalizes easily with ...d5.

What is the main idea of the French Defense: Horwitz Attack?

White fianchettos the dark bishop with b3 and Bb2 to fight for e5 and g7. Black takes the center with ...d5 and limits the bishop with ...d4 or solid development.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with Nc6 and a6 close behind. 2...d5 takes the center and attacks e4 before White has a single piece out to defend it.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.