Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e6/2. Qe2/2...c5

Chigorin Variation
White develops the queen to e2, an active square that can attack the king later. c5 stops d4 while maintaining control of the center.

A good move: Nf3. 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 is mainline. Ex.: Carlsen, Magnus vs Xiong, Jeffery: French Defense: Chigorin Variation • lichess.org