Sicilian Defense: French Variation
The French Variation of the Sicilian is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6, where Black prepares ...d5 and keeps the f8 bishop free. White picks between d4 for an open Sicilian, c3 for an Alapin, or side lines like Nc3 and b3.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6
- ECO
- B40
- Engine
- +0.36 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 17,038 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 3.d4 cxd4 Nxd4 leads to the Kan, Taimanov and Scheveningen, depending on Black's next move.
- c4 after ...a6 can set up a Maroczy bind, though ...Bb4 pins and pressures e4.
- 3.c3 prepares d4 and meets ...d5 with exd5 and d4, the Delayed Alapin.
- 3.Nc3 with Be2 and O-O keeps play slow and gives Black fewer targets.
Black
- After d4 and Nxd4, choose a setup: ...a6 for the Kan, ...Nc6 for the Taimanov, or ...Nf6 for Scheveningen lines.
- Against c3, hit e4 at once with ...d5. The e6 pawn supports it.
- Against slow moves like b3 or Nc3, ...a6 and ...b5 gain queenside space.
- Keep ...d5 in mind. In many lines it frees the c8 bishop and equalizes.
Plans and pawn structure
This is a flexible move with many paths. The open line with d4 leads to structures where Black has a pawn on e6 and White has e4: Black aims for ...d6 or ...d5 breaks and queenside play, while White uses space and attacks on the kingside. Against c3 the play is more central and often features an isolated pawn. Against slower setups, Black can expand with ...a6 and ...b5 and fight for the light squares with ...Bb7.
Where the engine's main line heads: Maroczy bind: White pawns on c4 and e4. The Maroczy bind: White pawns on c4 and e4 clamp the d5 square, so Black's ...d5 and ...b5 breaks are hard to play.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.36: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.36 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6
- +0.22 3.Nc3 a6 4.Be2 b5 5.O-O Nc6
- +0.20 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4 Nf6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
17,038 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Delayed Alapin Variation, with e63.c3 · 5,237 games
- French Variation, Open3.d4 · 2,399 games
- Kramnik Variation3.c4 · 1,212 games
- French Variation, Westerinen Attack3.b3 · 504 games
- Wing Gambit Deferred3.b4 · 268 games
- Scheveningen Variation, Classical Main Line3.d4 · rare
- Alapin Variation, Sherzer Variation3.c3 · rare
- Kan Variation, Wing Attack, Fianchetto Variation3.Nc3 · rare
How to play against it
With White, 3.d4 is the most testing and leads to well-known open Sicilian structures. If you prefer less theory, 3.c3 gives easy development and a central pawn duo. Do not play a passive setup that lets Black get ...d5 for free, since the e6 pawn already supports it.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: French Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: French Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6. Its ECO code is B40.
Is the Sicilian Defense: French Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.36 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 17,038 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.1%. A flexible choice for Black players who want many systems from one move; White needs a plan against several setups.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: French Variation?
Black plays ...e6 to keep options for ...d5, ...a6 or ...Nc6 later. White picks the structure with d4, c3 or a slower setup.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is d4, with Nc3 and c3 close behind. 3.d4 opens the game and asks Black to choose a main Sicilian system.
Related lines
- Sicilian Defense
- Bowdler Attack
- Old Sicilian
- Closed
- Alapin Variation
- Modern Variations
- How to beat the Sicilian Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.