Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. Nf3

French defence C00 French defence 2. Nf3 · Knight variation White doesn't take up the centre with pawns and instead prioritizes piece development. This move is not as flexible for White, since it leaves them with a lot less options than 2. d4 would have. It does invite Black to play a Sicilian defence instead. /2...d5/ continues to play in the style of the French defence. This is played most often, since most players playing e6 will be most comfortable with the French defence. /2...c5/ is Black's second most common option. This steers the game into a Sicilian defence with e6, also known as the "French Sicilian." Theory Table Two-knights variation 2. ... d5 3. Nc3 Perseus gambit 2. ... ... 3. d4 Sicilian defence 2.... c5 3. d4 References See also French Defence