Questions tagged [french-defense]
The French Defense begins with 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5. Black plans to play a solid setup and contest white's center with moves like c5 and Nc6. The biggest drawback to the French Defense is that black's light square bishop is hemmed in by the e6 pawn.
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Why is the French defence not played at the highest level?
I am a French defence player and I enjoy playing almost all the lines (Tarrasch, Winawer, advance variation, ...) because I think the play that follows the opening suits my style and I feel very ...
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Playing the French Defense Exchange Variation
In the French Defense Advance Variation, 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 ..., there are some clear game plans for both sides, areas where you want a pawn break, where you want to attack, etc.
However, in the ...
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What is a good French-like defense against 1. d4?
I enjoy playing the French Defence as black against 1. e4, for the following reasons.
It often creates a closed position without wild tactics
It takes white away from the more familiar lines (1... e5 ...
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Why is Leela so good at beating Stockfish in the French/Slav?
I notice Lc0 is especially good against Stockfish in French / Slav pawn structures. However, I don't understand why.
Here're a couple of games where Leela smoothly outplays Stockfish. Can anyone ...
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French or Caro Kann?
I find the French more aggressive, as black gets easy queenside play with pieces and generally a pawn avalanche. However, my friend debates that the Caro is better than the French because the Caro ...
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Is the French defense at a 3700 Elo level "completely refuted"?
...computers will never play the French defense against each other because the French defense at a 3700 Elo level is completely refuted...
IM Levy Rozman (YouTube around 3m08s)
Wait, what? I watched ...
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How does the "French Defense, Winawer Variation, Fingerslip Variation" get its name?
Why is this particular iteration of the "French Defense, Winawer Variation" called the "Fingerslip Variation"?
[fen "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. ...
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Why does black have a higher win rate on Lichess in Exchange French?
In the following position, databases of master games show black has a higher win rate (Lichess says 20% for white vs 25% for black). Why does black have a higher win rate here?
[FEN ""]
[...
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Why is the f6 pawn break in Advanced French so important for black?
I am new to the French (so forgive me if the question seems elementary).
I've just come across the pawn break ...f6 for black in the French advance variation, and I find the pawn break quite dubious ...
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Are there known opening gambit lines for black in the French defence?
I play the French defence with both colours (white and black) and generally play any of the orthodox main line openings (there are many eg Advance, Exchange, Classical,Tarrasch etc giving rise to many ...
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Why is Na5 not played in this line of the French Defense, Advance Variation?
I find Na5 a good resource for black in this line of the french, profiting from the fact that white's b-pawn is binned to the bishop. As far as I can understand this position with my limited chess, I ...
user18196
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A variant in the French defence advance variation
Consider the following beginning, quite typical of the advance variation of the French defense:
[fen ""]
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3
On what I have seen on the web, the ...
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What is a good plan for white against the Rubinstein variation in the French defense?
I always play the Tarrasch variation against the French defense and I have quite some good results with it.
Nevertheless, when black exchanges on e4 and the game transposes into the Rubinstein ...
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Why is it a good idea to retreat the bishop into the pawn chain in this variation of the Caro Kann?
I am reading a book about the Caro-Kann defence.
In this position the author suggests playing 5...Bd7. (Although they assert that Bg6 is not a bad move either). In fact, the whole idea of playing Qb6 ...
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Castling in the French Defense
How do you decide which way to castle?
It seems castling kingside can be dangerous because of white's extra kingside space he often gets in the French Defense. Also most of my pieces are naturally on ...
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Experiences with the Steiner Variation 1.e4 e6 2.c4!? in French?
How sound is 1.e4 e6 2.c4!?, the Steiner Variation in the French Defense, and would you actually recommend it? Does it work well in normal games, or is it more a surprise weapon for blitz?
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French Defense Exchange variation - Qh5?
[fen ""]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Bd3 Bd6 5. Nc3 Ne7 6. Qh5
I played this as white, and my last move seem to bother my opponent a lot. So I'd like to know if 5. ... Ne7 is correct and if my ...
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What is wrong with f2-f4 against the French Defense?
[fen ""]
[Startply "3"]
[Title "2.f4 against the French Defense"]
1.e4 e6 2.f4
What is so obviously wrong with this approach? I ask because it is not even mentioned in the complete Black repertoire ...
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French defense: Key ideas on the Winawer
I am beginning to study the Winawer variation (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4), mainly because the only line I actually know against 3.Nc3 is the Rubinstein (3...dxe4), which is very dry and boring to my ...
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Development problems for black after f4 in French Defence
I am a French player as black. I am having problems in lines where white advances their e pawn and plays f4 to defend e5. I feel like the break on f6 is useless. I am afraid to castle short. My bad ...
user27142
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How should Black defend against the Steinitz attack?
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e6 2. e5
This line of attack seems to break so many opening theory principles (don't move same piece twice, don't overextend, develop minor pieces ASAP) that I am surprised it's not ...
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Why not 5.Bd2 in the French Defense: Exchange Variation?
After the initial moves of the French Defense: Exchange Variation, my opponent played 4.Bb4+. I followed with 5.Bd2, but after analyzing it, I saw that it is not in the master games opening on chess....
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What is the rationale behind Black playing e6 in so many openings?
I am new to this stack exchange, so apologies if this question doesn't fit here.
Though I have advanced through the game, and now have a somewhat respectable rapid rating of 1550, I have always found ...
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Flexibility over solidity? Defending against 1. e4
When defending against 1. e4, I'm a French Defense player. I enjoy the French Defense very much, and my win rate with it is fairly good. Lately, though, I've been wanting to explore new defenses, only ...
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Explain the f6 break in the French defense
I'm really struggling to understand this move to be honest. Even after carefully reading a similar question posted here, I still just don't get it and, more importantly, when it's good to play the f6 ...
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In French Defense Advance Variation, why does white play an early f4?
Game.
First five moves:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. f4
Why did white play f4?
My guesses:
To defend e5 in case if d4 falls.
Pawn pointing theory seems to indicate ...
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Why is the Exchange French considered drawish?
Why is the Exchange French considered so drawish since it is very early in the game, so it seems like there would be a lot more play left. A lot of lower rated players play it against me, although I ...
user20520
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Aggressive Attacking Lines for Black in the French Defence Exchange Variation
I have recently taken a liking to the French Defence as black because I enjoy the counter-attacking options that black has to undermine white's center in the Tarrasch, Advance, and 3. Nc3 variations. ...
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Why isn't 5. f4 considered strong in the French Advance, main line?
Why isn't 5. f4 considered a strong move in the main line French Advance, after
[fen ""]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6
Everyone plays 5. Nf3 here, but isn't it logical to support e5 with ...
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French defense plans
I'm working with my 1300 USCF kid on his opening repertoire. In the French defense, I have a few questions/problems I'm trying to resolve:
1) In many of the closed lines (after e5) we go after ...
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How can Black free his game?
What are Black's long term plans in below pawn structure?
How can Black free his game?
The position arose from the Rubinstein variation of the French defense:
[Title "White to move"]
[fen "r2rb1k1/...
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Franco-Sicilian Defense Theory [duplicate]
I am wondering what the main lines and point of the Franco-Sicilian Defense are for Black. I could barely find any theory about it online, and it' is my favorite opening as Black. As such, I am ...
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How could I have extracted an opening advantage in this Owen's defence game?
I played as white against Owen's defence from black, which is seen as being quite dubious. After 21 moves, we agreed to a draw.
My question is, how could white have extracted an opening edge here?
[...
user1108
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Why doesn't white play Bd2 after this ...Qa5+?
I was looking at an analysis which shows this position ( from Bacrot - McShane 2018). At this point Black just played ...Qa5+, and the only moves that are analyzed for white are Kf2, c3 and Qd2.
This ...
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White fights for equality in French classical?
Normally, using engines for any given opening I can find ways for White to maintain a slight edge into the middle game. By a "slight edge" I mean an evaluation of around +0.20
The exception to this ...
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Definition: What is meant by "bishop pair" in this context?
This is a screenshot from a chess.com tutorial.
In the final sentence it says,
White will often gain the bishop pair after 5. a3, with a sharp struggle ahead.
Obviously a3 is the pawn attacking the ...
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Is the French Defence good against 1.e4 for tactical play?
I usually play 1...e6 (French Defence) against 1.e4.
I love to play tactical games. Is the French opening good for me? My primary aim in a chess game is to develop an attack against the opponent's ...
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What is the main idea of the Morozevich variation in the French vs. the Tarrasch?
What is the main idea of the Morozevich variation in the French vs. the Tarrasch variation?
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7
In other words, how can Black benefit from the slightly unusual development ...
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Why not 6.Ng3 against the French Rubinstein?
[fen ""]
[Title "6.Ng3 against the French Rubinstein"]
[Startply "11"]
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Ng3
What is so obviously wrong with the move 6.Ng3 against the French ...
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Purpose of Tarrasch variation in French
What's the purpose of 3. Nd2 in the French opening? Does it not block the dark-squared bishop and offer space in center for black? What's the sharpest line for white in this variation?
[FEN ""]
1. ...
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Why is **...c4** bad in the Classical French but not in the Advanced Paulsen Variation?
I have been learning the French Defense lately and there was one game where I was confused about the computer analysis.
Chess.com's engine says that 8... c4 is a mistake in the first game, while in ...
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What are books about the French Defence which feature a Black repertoire that tends to lead to solid/positional/closed/slow/quiet/strategic positions?
I am a 1750 Elo player with a very positional, quiet and strategic style of play.
I am looking for one or more books about the French Defence which fits these 3 conditions:
It must offer a complete ...
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1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 - how should Black respond?
I had White deviate from the French main line in a blitz game by playing:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e6 2. Nc3
Since this line is not discussed in the Wikipedia article on French defence I am thinking that ...
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How should black develop the dark squared bishop in the advance variation of the French Defense?
The following is the French defence, advance variation:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 *
My question is how Black should play his King's Bishop. Any time that Bishop moves the White Queen can go ...
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Evaluation of this alternative to French exchange lines
I am a French Defense opening player from both sides. I don't like exchange line of the French Defense. They are drawish positions and my brain gets bored resulting in a positional or small mistake.
...
user16971
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Reply for C11 French/Steinitz after `5. Nf3 c5`
When playing C11 French/Steinitz, 6. dxc5 Bxc5 is chosen. Even in Shredder, it's most played in C11 French/Steinitz. What should White best reply after 6. dxc5 Bxc5??
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. ...
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What's the best way to learn the French?
Recently, I have been very attracted to the French defense, as I feel as though it is perfect for my style. However, I am aware that the French is highly theoretical, which is why I need a good, ...
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Winning plan for black in this line of French Defense: Advance Variation Main Line
I play the French Defense as both white and black. I often play this line with black suggested by Korchnoi if I am not wrong. I have found a way to prevent the sudden b4, via Bd7 (if 8.Rb1 Bd7 9.b4 ...
user18196
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When should black make the cxd4 move in French?
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
Following the structures with black pawn on c5, there is a tension in the center. When does black usually decide to take the d4 pawn, what is usually the trigger?
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Good and in-depth books on Queen's Gambit and French Defense?
After following the studying advises of a Chess Stack Exchange fellow (PhishMaster, if you read this, thank you!) I'm about to break 2200 Lichess elo finally. I think it is time to truly and deeply ...
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