1...e6

1...e6

Like Emanuel Lasker, who was one of his own models, Korchnoi had a long chess career and never retired from active play. He transformed his playing style several times after starting to play in the 1940s, making it difficult to discuss an opening repertoire for a player who was active more than 60 years.

If we look at Korchnoi's games played before leaving the USSR in 1976, we see that his favorite responses to 1.e4 were 1...c5, 1...e6, and 1...e5, in that order, plus an occasional stab at variety with 1...Nf6 or 1...g6. Many strong players have had a preference for 1...c5 and/or 1...e5, but fewer have been adherents to 1...e6, the French Defense.

Unlike both 1...c5 and 1...e5, the French Defense is not played to prevent 2.d4. Its objective is to let White play that move, then counterattack immediately in the center with 2...d5. This strategy melded well with Korchnoi's characteristic strength, which was tenacious defense against an aggressive attack.

Also like Em.Lasker, Korchnoi was one of the great masters of defense. He had an impressive positive score against Mikhail Tal, the master of attack, and once remarked that he found Tal's style 'stereotyped'.

By playing 1...e6, which has the disadvantage of blocking Black's light squared Bishop on the very first move, Black announces the intention to play a strategic game. The lines will most likely remain closed throughout the opening and Black will seek to open them only after the initial development of both sides.

Next move: 2.d4 • For more about White's play against the French Defense, see our tutorial Chess Openings - French Defense.