For navigation[•: Chess Openings - See All Lessons]
[•: To the Main Page of French Defense]
This page is designed for chess beginners to get initial knowledge on the Main Line 3.Nc3 (or Paulsen variation) of the French Defense. This line starts with 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3. Unofficially, the line is called the main line 3.Nc3 of the French... But officially, its name is the Paulsen variation of the French Defense.
French Defense, Main Line 3.Nc3 or Paulsen Variation: Official Data
Variation Name: Paulsen Variation of the French Defense
Unofficial Name: Main Line of the French Defense
Variation Moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3
The line 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 is called the Main Line because 40 percent of the French games start like that. The main line or Paulsen variation is very popular at the chess master level and at the top level of chess today. And the following is more information on this variation. You are also recommended to see the video below.
The main line of the French Defense or Paulsen variation gives decent opening possibilities both for White and Black. Maybe this is one of the main reasons of great popularity of this way of playing the French Defense. After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3, Black has the following 3 main options to continue:
• Winawer (Nimzovich) variation, 3... Bb4.
• Classical variation, 3... Nf6.
• Rubinstein variation, 3... dxe4.
French Defense, Main Line 3.Nc3 or Paulsen Variation: Video
To see in a visible way the main line or Paulsen variation of the French Defense and (its 3 continuations) the Winawer, Classical, and Rubinstein variations, you are recommended to see the video below. This video will show the most common proven lines of playing the French Defense on the topic covered:
• If the opening video hasn’t shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player’s handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.
• Return to the Main Page of French Defense
Here, on this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com you have studied the Main Line of the French Defense chess opening (or Paulsen Variation). The variation starts with the following moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3. Thank you for your interest in learning chess openings!
