French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Euwe-Keres Line
The Euwe-Keres Line is 4.Ngf3 in the Tarrasch Open System, where White develops the king knight before resolving the center. Black usually answers with 4...Nc6 or 4...cxd4, and White aims to pin with Bb5 and target d5.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3
- ECO
- C07
- Engine
- +0.12 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 465 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 54.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 4...Nc6 5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5 the pin on c6 weakens Black's hold on d5 and d4.
- Meet ...Qe7+ with Be2 and castle quickly, as the main engine line does with 8.O-O.
- After 4...cxd4 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Bc4, gain time on the queen and castle.
- Put a rook on e1 to use the open e-file once the kings are safe.
Black
- 4...Nc6 develops and adds a second attacker on d4 before White can support it.
- ...Qe7+ after Bb5 forces Be2, which costs White some time.
- 4...cxd4 5.exd5 Qxd5 gives Black an active queen but it must move again after 6.Bc4.
- Castle short and use the open e-file with your rooks once developed.
Plans and pawn structure
With the knight already on f3, White is ready for exd5 and Bb5. The main plan is to pin the c6 knight and aim the pieces at d5 and d4. Black plans to unpin with ...Qe7+ and ...Qc7, castle and fight for the e-file. If Black gets an isolated pawn, White blockades it with a knight on d4. The game is open and both kings castle short.
Where the engine's main line heads: Symmetrical center: d4 against d5, open e-file. A symmetrical center: d4 against d5 with an open e-file. Neither side has pawn weaknesses, so piece activity decides.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.12: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.12 4...Nc6 5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5 Qe7+ 7.Be2
- +0.20 4...cxd4 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.O-O
- +0.37 4...Be7 5.dxc5 Bxc5 6.Bd3 Ne7 7.O-O
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
465 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 54.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, play 4...Nc6 and answer Bb5 with ...Qe7+. Castle quickly. Avoid losing time with the queen in the 4...cxd4 line if you are not ready for 6.Bc4 and 7.O-O.
Questions
What are the moves of the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Euwe-Keres Line?
The French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Euwe-Keres Line starts 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3. Its ECO code is C07.
Is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Euwe-Keres Line good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.12 at depth 20, which is level. In 465 lichess games from our sample, White scored 54.5%. A flexible choice for White players who like open positions with a pin, while Black needs to know the ...Qe7+ idea.
What is the main idea of the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Euwe-Keres Line?
White develops before resolving the center and aims for a Bb5 pin with pressure on d5. Black develops with ...Nc6 and uses ...Qe7+ to slow White down.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Nc6, with cxd4 and Be7 close behind. 4...Nc6 develops and adds a defender to d4 pressure before White trades on d5.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.