French Defence - Main Line: 3 Nc3 (Paulsen Variation, ECO: C10)

Main Line: 3 Nc3 (Paulsen Variation, ECO: C10)

Played in over 40% of all games after 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5, one can think of 3 Nc3 as the main line of French defence. Black has three main options, 3...dxe4 (the Rubinstein Variation), 3...Bb4 (the Winawer Variation) and 3...Nf6 (the Classical Variation). An eccentric idea is 3...Nc6!? 4 Nf3 Nf6 with the idea of 5 e5 Ne4; German IM Helmut Reefschlaeger has been fond of this move. Another third move alternative that black can play is ...c5, which is the 'psychotic' Marshall Gambit.