French Defense
1. e4 e6
The French Defense is a classic and resilient response to White's 1.e4 opening move in chess. With 1...e6, Black aims to build a solid pawn structure and prepare for a counterattack in the center, often characterized by the subsequent move ...d5. This opening leads to a rich variety of strategic and positional play, where Black typically looks to undermine White's central pawns while maintaining a strong and flexible position. The French Defense has been favored by many top players, including Mikhail Botvinnik and Viktor Korchnoi, for its robust and counter-attacking nature, making it a formidable choice for those seeking to neutralize White's initiative and steer the game into complex and thought-provoking positions.