1. e2e4  1... e7e6 I always get a smile on my face when I see the French Defense on the board. Who doesn't like to see the renegades and the underdogs having their moment of glory $2 Of all the great defenses against the king's pawn, none are bullied as much as the French, and I must confess that I'm also to blame for this. 2. d2d4  2... d7d5  3. e4e5 3.Nd2, 3.Nc3, and 3.e5 are all equally good for White. Just don't play 3.exd5. 3... c7c5  4. c2c3  4... b8c6  5. g1f3  5... c8d7  6. f1e2  6... f7f6  7. e1g1  7... f6e5  8. f3e5  8... c6e5  9. d4e5  9... d8c7 Erigaisi had this position in a few recent games.