French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation

Chess is all about controlling the center of the board, and that's exactly what White is trying to do with their first move, e4. By occupying one of the most important squares on the board, White is putting pressure on Black right from the start and opening up lines for their pieces to move. This move also prepares to develop the knight to f3 and castle kingside, setting up a solid position for White.

Black's move e6 is a solid response to White's aggressive opening move. By controlling the d5 square, Black is preventing White's pawn from advancing and establishing a strong presence in the center. Additionally, Black's pawn prepares to support their knight's development to f6, which puts pressure on White's e4 pawn and prepares to challenge White's control of the center squares. In sum, e6 is a useful move that sets the stage for Black's defense.

With the move d4, White reinforces their control over the center of the board and opens up a line for their queen and bishop. This move also threatens to capture Black's e6 pawn with their d4 pawn, potentially splitting Black's pawns and weakening their position. By expanding their control in the center, White aims to create space for their pieces to develop and put pressure on Black's position. In sum, d4 is a strong move that sets up White for a solid opening strategy.

In the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation, Black plays d5 in order to challenge White's central control and gain a foothold in the center themselves. By pushing their pawn forward to d5, Black opens up lines for their queen and bishop while also attacking White's pawn on d4. This move leads to an exchange of pawns, which can help simplify the position and lessen White's control over the center of the board. In sum, d5 is a solid move for Black that puts pressure on White and sets up future development opportunities.

With the move Nd2, White aims to protect their d4 pawn and prepare for the knight's development to f3. This move also opens up the possibility of playing c4 in the future, further expanding White's control over the center. By developing the knight on the rim, White is also freeing up space for their other pieces to come into the game. This slower approach from White allows Black to take the initiative in the early stages of the game, but it also helps to solidify White's position and prevent any quick counterattacks from Black. In sum, Nd2 is a flexible move that sets up future development options for White.

In response to White's Nd2, Black plays Nf6 in order to further contest White's control of the center while also developing a piece and preparing for castling kingside. By placing their knight on a central square, Black is also able to pressure White's pawn on e4 and potentially trade off a key defender of White's center. This move also frees up Black's queen and bishop, allowing for greater mobility and flexibility in their position. In sum, Nf6 is a strong move for Black that sets up future opportunities for counterattacking and controlling the center.

In the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation, White plays e5 in an attempt to further expand their central control and restrict Black's movement. This pawn push immediately threatens Black's knight on f6, putting pressure on a key defender of Black's position. If Black captures the e5 pawn with their dxe5 move, White can take back with their f pawn, opening up a line for their bishop and putting Black's queen under pressure. In sum, e5 is a strong move that challenges Black's position and sets up opportunities for White to push forward and attack.

In response to White's e5, Black plays Nfd7, aiming to trade off White's strong central pawn and develop a knight to a better square. This move also supports Black's c5 pawn push, which can put pressure on White's d4 pawn and further contest White's control of the center. By bringing their knight back to d7, Black also frees up their f8 bishop to get into the game along the a2-g8 diagonal. In sum, Nfd7 is a flexible move that sets up future opportunities for Black while trading off a key pawn for White.

With the move Bd3, White develops a piece to a more active square and prepares to castle kingside, putting their king in a safe position. This move also frees up the c1-h6 diagonal for White's queen to potentially come into the game and put Black's king under pressure. Additionally, the bishop on d3 eyes Black's c5 pawn push and can potentially put pressure on Black's pawns on the queenside. In sum, Bd3 is a flexible move that sets up future development options for White while supporting their central control.

In the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation, Black plays c5 in order to challenge White's central control and create counterplay on the queenside. This pawn push also gains space and opens up lines for Black's light-squared bishop, potentially allowing it to come into the game and pressure White's pawn structure. By pushing their pawn to c5, Black is also discouraging White from advancing their pawn to c3, as this would create a weakness on the d3 square and make it difficult for White to maintain control of the center. In sum, c5 is a strong move that sets up opportunities for Black to pressure White's position and create an unbalanced game.

With the move c3, White aims to support their strong central pawn on d4 and counter Black's pawn on c5. This move also prepares the development of White's knight to c2, protecting their pawn on d4 and potentially attacking Black's position. Additionally, by playing c3, White maintains control over the d4 and e5 squares and can potentially push their pawn to d5 in the future to create more space and pressure. In sum, c3 is a solid move for White that sets up future development options while also maintaining central control.

In response to White's c3, Black plays Nc6 in order to maintain pressure on White's central pawn on d4 and potentially develop their knight to a better square. This move also prepares for a possible pawn exchange on d4, which can help simplify the position and lessen White's control over the center of the board. Additionally, Nc6 allows Black to further develop their pieces and control more territory on the queenside. In sum, Nc6 is a strong move for Black that sets up future opportunities for counterplay while also challenging White's central control.

In the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation, White plays Ne2 in order to support their pawn on d4 and prepare for castling kingside. This move also allows White's knight to potentially come to the g3 square and pressure Black's f5 pawn. Additionally, Ne2 frees up space for White's queen to potentially come to the d3 square and pressure Black's position. In sum, Ne2 is a flexible move that sets up future development options for White while also maintaining control in the center of the board.

In response to White's Ne2, Black plays cxd4 in order to release pressure on their position and immediately threaten White's pawn on d4. This move also opens up lines for Black's pieces to come into the game and potentially put White under pressure. If White recaptures the pawn on d4 with their knight, Black can then follow up with the move Nxd4, gaining a tempo and potentially attacking White's position. In sum, cxd4 is a strong move for Black that challenges White's central control and sets up future opportunities for counterplay.

With the move cxd4, White immediately recaptures the pawn and maintains their strong central control. By leaving Black with isolated pawns on c5 and e6, White gains increased control over the important d5 square, making it more difficult for Black to find good outpost squares for their pieces. Additionally, cxd4 opens up lines for White's pieces and can potentially lead to the creation of an open file for White's rooks. In sum, cxd4 is a solid move for White that maintains their central control and sets up future opportunities for pressuring Black's position.

In the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Leningrad Variation, Black plays Nb6 in order to attack White's pawn on c4 and potentially gain control over the b4 square. This move also gets Black's knight into the game and prepares to potentially jump into White's territory. Additionally, Nb6 puts pressure on White's d4 pawn and can make it more difficult for White to push forward in the center. In sum, Nb6 is a flexible move that sets up future opportunities for Black while challenging White's position.