French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
9,501 games: White 47.0% / Draw 6.0% / Black 47.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,6916,691 | ||
| 1,6841,684 | ||
| 587587 | ||
| 375375 | ||
| 7676 | ||
| 3737 | ||
| 2222 | ||
| 77 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.47 White is better
Best play: 9. Nf3 Bd7 10. a3 a5 11. h4 a4 12. Rh3 Nc4 13. Kf1 Qb6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation (ECO C06, Open Games) is a variation of the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation, Main Line, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nb6 (8 moves).
In 9,501 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.0%, Black 47.0% and 6.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. O-O, in 70% 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: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation
The most played answer, 9. O-O, also scores best for White: 50.6%, with White winning 47.6% and Black 46.3% of 6,691 games. Of the main answers, 9. f4 scores lowest: 45.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 9. Nf3.
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: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation (C06)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-tarrasch-variation-leningrad-variation