The French Defence, move by move

A solid wall of pawns on e6 and d5. Black lets White grab space, then hits the pawn chain. You play Black. Opening code C11.

1. 1. e4 White takes the centre.
2. 1… e6 Prepares d5 with the pawn protected.
3. 2. d4 White builds a full centre.
4. 2… d5 Black challenges e4 at once.
5. 3. Nc3 White defends e4.
6. 3… Nf6 Black adds a second attacker to e4.
7. 4. e5 White pushes past and kicks the knight.
8. 4… Nfd7 The knight retreats, ready to attack e5 with c5 and f6.
9. 5. f4 White props up e5 with another pawn.
10. 5… c5 Black strikes the base of White's centre, the typical French plan.
11. 6. Nf3 Defends d4.
12. 6… Nc6 Attacks d4 a second time.
13. 7. Be3 White defends d4 again.
14. 7… cxd4 Black trades, opening the c-file.
15. 8. Nxd4 White takes back with the knight.
16. 8… Bc5 Develops with a pin on the knight. This is the Steinitz line.

The plan from here

Attack White's pawn chain at its base with c5 and f6, and use the queenside where White is thin.