French Defense: Classical Variation, Frankfurt Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
535 games: White 50.5% / Draw 6.0% / Black 43.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 169169 | ||
| 121121 | ||
| 6565 | ||
| 4343 | ||
| 3636 | ||
| 2828 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 1616 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.02 White is better
Best play: 7. Qg4 g6 8. Nf3 h5 9. Qg3 Ba6 10. Bxa6 Nxa6 11. a3 Qd7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
French Defense: Classical Variation, Frankfurt Variation (ECO C13, Open Games) is a variation of the French Defense: Classical Variation, Vistaneckis Variation, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Ng8 6. Be3 b6 (6 moves).
In 535 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.5%, Black 43.6% and 6.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. f4, in 32% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the French Defense: Classical Variation, Frankfurt Variation
7. Qg4 scores best for White: 59.5%, with White winning 57.0% and Black 38.0% of 121 games. The most played answer, 7. f4, scores lowest: 43.2% in 169 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Qg4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “French Defense: Classical Variation, Frankfurt Variation (C13)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-classical-variation-frankfurt-variation