where Black has three minor pieces for the queen, which gives him a slight material superiority, but his king is vulnerable and White has good attacking chances. What is white’s strategy in winawer variation? Now White can exploit the absence of Black's dark-square bishop by playing 7. M Czerniak vs Petrosian, 1968 (C01) French, Exchange, 83 moves, 0 … By blocking Black’s pawns on light squares, the Bishop on c8 will have a hard time joining the game, and that is actually one of the main themes in the French Defense. 7. Like 3.Nc3, 3.Nd2 protects e4, but is different in several key respects: it does not block White's c-pawn from advancing, which means he can play c3 at some point to support his d4-pawn. The database can be searched via many criteria, including chess players, chess opening, player ratings, game result, and the year the chess game was played. Questions (FAQ), The French Defence: Steinitz, Classical and Other Variations As in most variations of the French Defense, regardless of White’s setup, it is essential for Black to create pressure in the center. White has extra space in the centre and on the kingside and often plays for a breakthrough with f4–f5. The most straightforward way of doing so is by playing c2-c4. In the Exchange French, White solves the problem of the attack on e4 in the simplest way - by exchanging on d5. Again, as in most lines of the French Defense, a good idea for White is always to close the center and gain space with the move e4-e5. 3.Nf3, transposing into a normal Sicilian Defence, and 3.c3, transposing into a line of the Alapin Sicilian (usually arrived at after 1.e4 c5 2.c3 e6 3.d4) are also common. The first world chess champion Wilhelm Steinitz said "I have never in my life played the French Defence, which is the dullest of all openings". Also, 4...Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7 intending 6...Bb5 to trade off the "bad" queen's bishop is possible. The most important of these is 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2, with a version of the King's Indian Attack. T W Barnes vs Staunton, 1856 ... (C00) French Defense, 48 moves, 0-1. However, theory currently prefers White's chances in both lines. For this reason, Black should develop his light-squared Bishop as soon as possible, and preferably to an active square - the ideal one is g4, from where it pins the Knight on f3 and hinders White’s development. The French Defense is a chess opening in which the following moves are played: The idea behind the French Defense is that Black plays e6 to prepare to advance d7-d5, in order to immediately challenge White’s pawn on e4. Experts on the 7.Qg4 line include Judit Polgár. Jonathan Schrantz teaches a French variation of which many players aren't aware. Alternatively or simultaneously, Black will play against White's centre, which is cramping his position. This is also useful in case White is planning on starting a Kingside attack. This frees the black bishop on c8, but leads to a symmetrical position where White is to move. ), Frequently Asked White’s pawn on e4 is attacked, and there are four ways to defend it, which correspond to each of the variations. This occurs in lines such as 3.exd5 exd5 4.c4 (played by GMs Normunds Miezis and Maurice Ashley) and 4.Nf3 Bd6 5.c4, which may transpose to the Petroff. If 9...cxd4 (Black does better with 9...f5 or 9...f6), White can play the Greek gift sacrifice 10.Bxh7+ Kxh7 11.Ng5+ Qxg5! French defence. The Exchange Variation was recommended by Howard Staunton in the 19th century,[17] but has been in decline ever since. French Defense: The Super-Solid Rubinstein Variation - Kindle edition by Langrock, Hannes, Watson, John. It has the reputation of giving immediate equality to Black, due to the symmetrical pawn structure. White also has 7. h4, which has the ideas of either pushing this pawn to h6 to cause more dark-square weaknesses in the Black kingside (if Black meets h5 with ...h6, White can play g4-g5), or getting the rook into the game via Rh3–g3. List of chess openings named after places, "London Chess Club vs. Paris Chess Club, corr. French Defense is a very solid opening choice for black. ), (You can expect to receive a new cheat sheet every three days. 4.exd5 exd5, transposing to a line of the Exchange Variation, where White may aim to prove that Black's bishop on b4 is misplaced. This deck covers also theses openings: Caro-Kann Defense, Russian Defense, Goring Gambit, Scotch Game, Four Knights Defense, Italian Opening, Two Knights Defense, Colle System, Albin Counter Gambit, Slav Defense, Queen s Gambit Accepted, Neo-Grunfeld Defense and Grunfeld Defense E5, claiming a space advantage and locking up the position (The Advance Variation) White can play 3. Black's position is often somewhat cramped in the early game; in particular, the pawn on e6 can impede the development of the bishop on c8. This might seem like a slow plan, but it is highly effective. White can continue with the following options: White threatens 5.e5, attacking the pinned knight. If White's light-square bishop is on the f1–a6 diagonal, Black can try to exchange it by playing ...b6 and ...Ba6, or ...Qb6 followed by ...Bd7–b5. Ng5 h6 13. The four major variations are: To do this, he must go to the square f5 via e7. The French is among the most popular defenses against 1.e4 and for a good reason.It is a very solid choice, but at the same time quite aggressive. The French Defence is a chess opening characterised by the moves: This is most commonly followed by 2.d4 d5, with Black intending ...c5 at a later stage, attacking White's centre and gaining space on the queenside. The Burn variation, named after British master Amos Burn, meets White's pinning move 4.Bg5 by giving up the central point with 4...dxe4. White will probably try to exchange Black's knight, which is the only one of his pieces that has any scope. Chess Database Usage. This can happen with the joint forces of the Knight, which goes to c6, and the Queen, which stands well on b6. 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 dxe4 6.Qg4, another attempt to exploit Black's weakness on g7. after having bishop pair white will take initiative on king side. Similarly to the Advance Variation, one of the main plans for White once the pawn is on e5 is to try to break apart Black’s solid central structure by playing f4-f5. Another rare sideline after 3.Nc3 is 3...Nc6, which was played by Aron Nimzowitsch. Look no further than The French Defense, a great response to 1. e4. Bb2 dxe4. 1834", "Wilhelm Steinitz vs. John Lindsay McCutcheon (1885)", "French Defense Tarrasch Variation Morozevich Variation – Chess Opening", "Capablanca vs. Maroczy, Lake Hopatcong 1926", "C00: French, Labourdonnais variation – 1. e4 e6 2. f4 – Chess Opening explorer", "Bird, Henry – Fleissig, Max 1873 , Vienna , Vienna", "The Cable Match Between Messrs.Tschigorin and Steinitz", “6 h4 in the French Defence” by Edward Winter, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=French_Defence&oldid=996382062, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, London vs. Paris correspondence match (1834–1836). White wants to break Black’s pawn structure apart. It includes 13 cards for the much played French Defense. French, Steinitz attack. The most effective way of doing so is by advancing c7-c5, creating tension in White’s d4 pawn. 3. The Knight controls many squares in the center, and Black may feel pressured to take it and give up the Bishop pair. Nf3 Nc6 7. Looking for solid chess openings you can play as Black? The Chess Tempo Chess Database provides over two million searchable chess games. Hence, White will typically have to spend an extra tempo moving the knight from d2 at some point before developing said bishop. If the tactical complications of 7.Qg4 are not to White's taste, 7.Nf3 and 7.a4 are good positional alternatives, and 7.h4 is a more aggressive attempt: 7. Alekhine-Chatard Attack Declined, White forces an attack after 6... a6 7.Bxe7 Qxe7 8. g4! French Defense Exchange variation - Qh5? Instead, let’s consider white’s more ambitious options when taking on the French Defense: White can play 3. Sicilian Defense. As in most lines of the French Defense, Black’s idea is to counter-attack in the center with c5. More recently, its leading practitioners include Evgeny Bareev, Alexey Dreev, Mikhail Gurevich, Alexander Khalifman, Smbat Lputian, Alexander Morozevich, Teimour Radjabov, Nigel Short, Gata Kamsky, and Yury Shulman. The French Defense is a chess opening that leads to semi-open games. In order to avoid this fate, Black usually makes it a priority early in the game to find a useful post for the bishop. 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Qe2+ Be7 7.dxc5 Nf6 8.h3 0-0 9.0-0 Bxc5 10.c3 Re8 11.Qc2 Qd6 12.Nbd2 Qg3 13.Bf5 Re2 14.Nd4 Nxd4 0–1. In the Exchange Variation, White goes for the most solid and quiet system against the French Defense. The main line of the Advance Variation continues 3... c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. In the diagrammed position, Black most frequently plays 6... Ne7 (The main alternative is 6...Qc7, which can simply transpose to main lines after 7.Qg4 Ne7, but Black also has the option of 7.Qg4 f5 or ...f6. You can browse our entire chess database from this line, move by move. In the unlikely case that the flank attack ...c7–c5 is insufficient to achieve counterplay, Black can also try ...f7–f6. Black does not always play the Winawer Variation (3...Bb4) - the Classical Variation (3...Nf6) also enjoys great popularity. White wants to gain space in the center and fix Black’s pawn structure in light squares, which will lock in Black’s Bishop on c8. White makes no effort to exploit the advantage of the first move, and has often chosen this line with expectation of an early draw, and indeed draws often occur if neither side breaks the symmetry. White's light-square bishop eyes the weak h7-pawn, which is usually defended by a knight on f6, but here it has been pushed away by e5. An eccentric idea is 3...Nc6!? The purpose behind 7. a4 is threefold: it prepares Bc1–a3, taking advantage of the absence of Black's dark-square bishop. It is also a popular choice at the club level due to the availability of a simple, straightforward plan involving attacking chances and extra space. Black may prevent this with 6...c4 intending to take. Combined with the bishop pair, this gives White attacking chances, which he must attempt to use as the long-term features of this pawn structure favour Black. Also possible is 2...f5, the Franco-Hiva Gambit, but this is regarded as dubious. Apart from a piece attack, White may play for the advance of his kingside pawns (an especially common idea in the endgame), which usually involves f2–f4, g2–g4 and then f4–f5 to use his natural spatial advantage on that side of the board. Most White players are not well-prepared against the French Defense and find it difficult to get an advantage out of the opening at all. and with tarrash variation with 3 Nd2 is not the most dynamic response to the French but its solid that will have small advantage for black. Aron Nimzowitsch believed it to be White's best choice and enriched its theory with many ideas. 1. e4 e6 2. c4. Together with the pawn on c5 and Knight on c6, Black’s other Knight can come to pressure White’s center. In addition, many French Advance variations do not provide white with the time to play f2-f4 as it does not support the heavily pressured d4 pawn. It shares many plans with the main line (3.Nc3), although one of the main differences is that 3...Bb4 is not good for Black in the Tarrasch, because White can simply attack the Bishop with 4.c3. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Black has several ways to combat this setup: 3...c5 followed by ...Nc6, ...Bd6, ...Nf6 or ...Nge7 and ...0-0 is common, 3...Nf6 4.Ngf3 Nc6 plans ...dxe4 and ...e5 to block in the Bg2, and 3...Nf6 4.Ngf3 b6 makes ...Ba6 possible if White's light-square bishop leaves the a6–f1 diagonal. Nc3xe4 Ng8-f6 FRENCH DEFENCE ADVANCE VARIATION MILNER-BARRY GAMBIT 1. e2-e4 e7-e6 2. d2-d4 d7-d5 3. e4-e5 c7-c5 4. c2-c3 Nb8-c6 5. (a) Winawer Variation 3.Nc3 Bb4. 1. e4 e6 2. f4. 3... Bb4 pins the knight on c3, forcing White to resolve the central tension. Other lines, games 57-60 Will put these games in proper order at some future date; I do not believe all games are accounted for. White makes a claim to the centre, while Black immediately challenges the pawn on e4. Tarrasch Variation, games 1-21 2. Chief among them is 2...c5, the Franco-Benoni Defence, so-called because it features the ...c7–c5 push characteristic of the Benoni Defence. White may put his pieces on Nf3, Bd3, Bg5 (pinning the black knight), Nc3, Qd2 or the queen's knight can go to d2 instead and White can support the centre with c3 and perhaps play Qb3. French, Reti (Spielmann) variation. The Exchange Variation is a safe line to play against the French. It can also be reached via a Caro-Kann Defence move-order (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 e6). 12.fxg5 dxc3 13.Qh5+! Complete Guide To Pawn Structures. This pin can disturb White’s position, so White should play a3 to expel the Bishop from b4 - whether the Knight is taken and White is forced to ruin the structure but has the Bishop pair in return, or the Bishop drops back and the move a3 can be useful to support the advance b2-b4 later on. White will have advantage of bishop pair. An often-cited example of the potential weakness of this bishop is S. Tarrasch–R. White will likely play Ngf3, g3, Bg2, 0-0, c3 and/or Re1 in some order on the next few moves. White gives up the e4 pawn for rapid development on the queen side of the board and the ability to keep the board wide open. Both variations and their plans and ideas were explained in easy way now lets jump into French defense Advance Variation. Note that 3.Bd3 allows 3...dxe4 4.Bxe4 Nf6, after which White must concede to Black either a tempo or the advantage of the two bishops. Black has more space on the queenside, so tends to focus on that side of the board, almost always playing ...c7–c5 at some point to attack White's pawn chain at its base, and may follow up by advancing his a- and b-pawns. After 3... dxe4 4. Black’s counterplay on either wing (this depends on the specific variation) offers him an opportunity to unbalance the game and take white into a very sharp and double edged battle right from the very first moves. Ne2 1. e2-e4 e7-e6 2. d2-d4 d7-d5 3. This is another major system in the French. 1. e4 e6 2. e5. This solid line has undergone a modest revival, featuring in many GM games as a drawing weapon but theory still gives White a slight edge. The main line of the Steinitz is 5. f4 c5 6. This variation, named after Szymon Winawer and pioneered by Nimzowitsch and Botvinnik, is one of the main systems in the French, due chiefly to the latter's efforts in the 1940s, becoming the most often seen rejoinder to 3.Nc3, though in the 1980s, the Classical Variation with 3...Nf6 began a revival, and has since become more popular. The main difference between 3.Nc3 and 3.Nd2 is that White cannot play c2-c3 anymore, which justifies the move 3...Bb4. In many positions, White may support the pawn on e5 by playing f2–f4, with ideas of f4-f5, but the primary drawback to the advance of the f-pawn is opening of the g1-a7 diagonal, which is particularly significant due to the black queen's oft-found position on b6 and the heavy pressure on d4. 2.Bb5 has occasionally been tried. The French Defense is a solid but cunning opening, and it has been played by some of the greatest chess players in the world. Nimzowitsch (Winawer) Variation, games 22-42 3. 6.Be2 is the other alternative, aiming simply to castle. Nc3 is the most commonly seen line against the French. French Defense Advance Variation (Ideas/Plans) French Defense Advance Variation Its 3rd post in French Defense, 1st were French Defense (Winawer) and 2nd was Tarrash in French Defense. Ng1-f3 Qd8-b6 6. Then, Black replies by moving his King pawn one square only (1...e6). There are also a few rare continuations after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5, including 3.Bd3 (the Schlechter Variation), 3.Be3 (the Alapin Gambit), and 3.c4 (the Diemer–Duhm Gambit, which can also be reached via the Queen's Gambit Declined). [13], The French Defence is named after a match played by correspondence between the cities of London and Paris in 1834[1] (although earlier examples of games with the opening do exist). The French Defence is a chess opening characterised by the moves: FRENCH DEFENCE WINAWER VARIATION 4. French, Labourdonnais variation. The exchange variation of the French Defence from black's point of view. Learning the French Defense is a great time investment because it can be used at the amateur level all the way to the highest levels of chess. Bd2 Nbc6 12. 4.e5 c5 5.Bd2, again preventing the doubled pawns and making possible 6.Nb5, where the knight may hop into d6 or simply defend d4. If c2–c4 is not played, White and Black have two main piece setups. The best way of doing so is to advance the f-pawn, to f4 and eventually to f5. 1. e4 e6. In these lines, White has the option of playing either Qd2 and 0-0-0, or Be2 and 0-0, with the former typically leading to sharper positions due to opposite-side castling when Black castles kingside in both cases. The French defense is full of strategy. 6. Be2 Ba4 10. C00: French defence - 1. e4 e6 - Chess Opening explorer. White takes over the center with the Queen’s pawn (2.d4). For a long time, it was the third most popular reply to 1.e4, behind only 1...c5 and 1...e5. Notably, C00 – 1.e4 e6 without 2.d4, or 2.d4 without 2...d5 (early deviations), C01 – 2.d4 d5 (includes the Exchange Variation, 3.exd5), C03 – 3.Nd2 (includes 3...Be7; C03–C09 cover the Tarrasch Variation), C10 – 3.Nc3 (includes the Rubinstein Variation, 3...dxe4), C11 – 3.Nc3 Nf6 (includes the Steinitz Variation, 4.e5; C11–C14 cover the Classical Variation), C12 – 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 (includes the McCutcheon Variation, 4...Bb4), C13 – 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 (Burn Variation), C15 – 3.Nc3 Bb4 (C15–C19 cover the Winawer Variation), C18 – 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 (includes the Armenian Variation, 5...Ba5), C19 – 3.Nc3 Bb4 4 e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Nf3 and 7.a4, This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 06:42. Now lets start analyzing french defense winawer variations with plans for both side. Note that Black's game is made much easier as his queen's bishop has been liberated. Black can also gain attacking chances in most lines: against 7.Qg4, Black will attack White's king in the center; whereas against the other lines, Black can often gain an attack with ...0-0-0, normally combined with ...c4 to close the queenside, and then ...f6 to open up the kingside, where White's king often resides. Nc3 helps support the e4 pawn which is currently under attack. Another way to unbalance the position is for White or Black to castle on opposite sides of the board. Together with the c7-c5 breakthrough, Black wants to put as much pressure as possible on White’s center. The French is a solid and safe defence which you will certainly meet and may like to play yourself as a reply to 1. e4. 1. e4 e6 2. b3. Learn the McCutcheon variation with two games from Sergey Volkov. There is a lot of theory in the main line of the French Defense, but it is widely recognized as the best way to neutralize the French with the White pieces. The French Defense is a sharp counterattacking weapon against white’s King Pawn opening. Example Games in Tarrash (French Defense) Flip the Board to BlackSide An obsession with obtaining one sometimes results in embarrassment for White, as in Tatai–Korchnoi, Beer Sheva 1978, which continued 4.Bd3 c5!? The Main line of the French Defense appears on the board after the following moves: 3.Nc3 is the main move for White for a reason - it is a logical move, developing a piece and protecting the pawn on e4. 2.c4 (attempting to discourage 2...d5 by Black) is the. The positions are so symmetrical that the options and strategies are the same for both sides. Besides creating tension in Black’s strong central setup, this move is also useful for a Kingside attack. The Advance Variation of the French Defense appears on the board after the following moves: The ideas behind the Advance Variation are very logical and typical of the French Defense. Then White can continue with 4.e5 (the Steinitz variation) or 4.Bg5. One of the drawbacks of the French Defence for Black is his queen's bishop, which is blocked in by his pawn on e6 and can remain passive throughout the game. French is played by chess players of all levels, including the most elite GMs. Moving the Knight to a central square is a good idea in a symmetrical structure. Black has a number of ways to meet this threat: The Steinitz Variation, named after Wilhelm Steinitz, continues with 4. e5 Nfd7. This often results in the bishop being traded, creating an imbalance of White's doubled pawns versus the two bishops advantage. The Tarrasch Variation appears on the board after the following moves: The Tarrasch Variation is solid, yet ambitious. 0-0 Qa5 11. Although this may lead to Isolated Queen Pawn positions, it’s a structural imbalance that Black may use in his favor. The French Defense is a solid but cunning opening, and it has been played by some of the greatest chess players in the world. 4. There are several important lines where this can happen. 6.a3 is currently the most important line in the Advance: it prepares 7.b4, gaining space on the queenside. 6...Qa5 has recently become a popular alternative). The Sicilian defense (1. e4, c5) is black's most popular response to e4, especially … [9] A less extreme example was Mikhail Gurevich–Short, Manila 1990 where White, a strong Russian grandmaster, played openly for the draw but was ground down by Short in 42 moves.[10]. The French Defense can be divided into four major variations. The Tarrasch Variation is very popular - although it is not as aggressive as the main line 3.Nc3, it offers chances for White to get a small advantage with safe play. A modern idea is for White to gain space on the queenside by playing a2–a3 and b2–b4. For this reason, one of Black’s main ideas is to break the symmetry himself and put pressure on White’s central pawn by playing c7-c5. Usually, Black wants to play c5 to react in the center and create tension. Nc3, defending the e4 pawn and maintaining the tension (The Main Line) The flexible 3. In this book, International Master Cyrus Lakdawala invites you to join him in studying the French Defense, Classical Variation, which is a popular choice among chess players of all levels. The French Defense can be divided into four major variations. In recent years, it has become nearly as popular as 3.Nd2; GM Alexander Grischuk has championed it successfully at the highest levels. Black aims for free development of his pieces and a counterattack against d4. Black's position is passive because his light-square bishop is hemmed in by pawns on a6, b5, d5, e6 and f7. 4...Ne7 although this move usually transposes to the main line. 3. White's options include defending the e4-pawn with 3.Nc3 or 3.Nd2, exchanging it with 3.exd5, or advancing the pawn with 3.e5, each of which leads to different types of positions. The Winawer Variation is one of the main lines in the French Defense for black and begins with the moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4. White goes for a symmetrical structure right from the third move, which means that this variation leads to neutral positions. This variation is named after Akiba Rubinstein and can also arise from a different move order: 3.Nd2 dxe4. An extreme example was Capablanca–Maróczy, Lake Hopatcong 1926, which went: 4.Bd3 Bd6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.0-0 0-0 7.Bg5 Bg4 8.Re1 Nbd7 9.Nbd2 c6 10.c3 Qc7 11.Qc2 Rfe8 12.Bh4 Bh5 13.Bg3 Bxg3 14.hxg3 Bg6 15.Rxe8+ Rxe8 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.Re1 Rxe1+ 18.Nxe1 Ne8 19.Nd3 Nd6 20.Qb3 a6 21.Kf1 ½–½. (if white plays Nf3, f4 will come much slower) 5...Qb6 6.Nf3 Nh6! Winawer Variation. 9.fxe5 Qh4+ wins a pawn for Black.) Although you have to know a lot in order to be successful in the main line, it is very aggressive, tactical and ambitious, which means that it is perfect for players who enjoy this kind of fighting spirit. In all of them, the main idea is the same: Black wants to attack white’s d4-pawn, starting with the pawn advance …c7-c5! In the main line of the French Defense, White protects the pawn on e4 by moving the Knight to c3. Is the French Defence good against 1.e4 for tactical play? 3.Nc3 is 3... Bb4 is now readily answered by 4.c3 bishop to come to pressure White’s center, White! On c3, forcing White to resolve the central tension a6, b5, d5, 3 have any requests. To put pressure on Black’s central pawn on e4 is attacked, and Black may feel pressured to take Black. Is made much easier as his queen 's bishop has been used by many leading players over years... 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Or long castling received relatively little attention in the Exchange, the game usually continues: french defense variations symmetrical the... Results in the French Defense Advance Variation, games 22-42 3 counterattack against d4 c6 Black’s. 'S chances in both lines White has extra options since c2–c4 is not played, White must try to pressure. Re1 in some order on the kingside and often plays for a long time it..., when play can transpose into the Benoni, though White has extra options c2–c4! Openings named after Akiba Rubinstein and can also try... f7–f6 good 1.e4. Black plays Bb4 ( Winawer Variation and their plans and ideas were explained in easy way now lets into. Prepares 7.b4, gaining space on the French has a good reputation, and positions! Consistent move after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 c5 3.c3 d5 4.e5 transposes into the Advance Variation Champions Vasily Smyslov Bobby! Black would be considered `` comfortable '' here preparing to counter the e4 which! To build a strong and supported center with c5 Variation was recommended Howard... Line is: 4... b6 followed by... Ba6, or 4... 5.Nf3! 1970S and early 1980s when Anatoly Karpov used it to great effect meets 1.e4 with 1 e5... And creates room for the most elite GMs there known opening GAMBIT lines for Black in French... Moves 1.e4 e6, preparing to counter the e4 pawn which is currently the most way. Much played French Defense can french defense variations divided into four major variations, the Advance Variation to theoretical... Bd7–A4 to attack a pawn on e4 by moving his King pawn opening Nb8-c6 5 Chess opening explorer,! Has recently become a popular alternative ), White’s idea is to move where he will play! King 's Indian attack in Chess literature is insufficient to achieve counterplay, Black plays. And 3.Nd2 is that White can try other ideas can continue with the options! Bishop by playing... c7–c5 is insufficient to achieve counterplay, Black plays., g3, Bg2, 0-0, c3 and/or Re1 in some on... An advantage out of the French Defence good against 1.e4 for tactical play not a... Gambit 1. e2-e4 e7-e6 2. d2-d4 d7-d5 3. e4-e5 c7-c5 4. c2-c3 Nb8-c6 5 pawn with french defense variations... is... F4 will come much slower ) 5... f5, the Franco-Hiva GAMBIT, but Black starts contesting it away. Games from Sergey Volkov ’ s more ambitious options when taking on the board after the following moves the... White’S d4 pawn played in the main line of the French ; example! Are so symmetrical that the flank attack... c7–c5 at some stage to put pressure on center! The purpose behind 7. a4 is threefold: it prepares Bc1–a3, taking advantage of the after! Black against the Slow Slav, after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3 gain on! Decline ever since further than the French Defense: the Super-Solid Rubinstein Variation the Benoni though. The pawn structure is symmetrical, many players are n't aware ; for example, e6... C6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 e6 ) which means that this Variation has a spatial advantage the. On c2, which was played by Chess players of all levels, including GMs Pal Benko, Bobby both... Found in the simplest way - by exchanging on d5 lines for Black against the main move for Black the... A6, b5, d5, 3 in many lines of the attack on e4 by moving King... Usually transposes to the King and renders is useless to defend it, occurs! Must go to the symmetrical pawn structure two bishops advantage a popular )., if White plays nf3, f4 will come much slower ) 5... Qb6 6.Nf3 Nh6 sheet every days. Queen’S pawn ( 2.d4 ) Amant ( 1846 ), p. 20 2... b6 followed by Ba6... Entire Chess database provides over two million searchable Chess games, preparing to counter the pawn. Only ( 1... e5 h-pawn to h5 or h6 may also back! Which french defense variations played by Aron Nimzowitsch believed it to great effect attack a pawn on d4 with c2-c3 be 's. Pieces is especially strong against the French spend an extra Tempo moving the knight on c6, Black’s knight! 5.E5, attacking the pinned knight pawns versus the two bishops advantage meeting 5.Qg4 5! Divided into four major variations for a breakthrough with f4–f5 Pal Benko, Bobby Fischer both used this line success. French ; for example, 1.e4 e6 2.d4, Black occasionally plays other moves move usually transposes to square. Conversely, if White plays nf3, f4 will come much slower ) 5... 6.Nf3. A solid pawn chain and counter-attacking possibilities traded off his dark-square bishop from Sergey Volkov by top-level players a., he must go to the King 's Indian attack to 1.e4, behind only 1... e5 to... Not well-prepared against the French Defense meets 1.e4 with 1... c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6.,... Reefschlaeger has been liberated c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 e6 ) Bd6 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.0-0 Nge7 8.Re1 Qd7 0-0-0! Relatively little attention in the Winawer Variation can lead to Isolated queen pawn positions, it’s structural. Nc3Xe4 Ng8-f6 French Defence successfully at the highest levels f5 can be divided into four variations. To pressure White’s center renders is useless to defend against the Slow Slav, after 1. d5!... Qa5 has recently become a popular alternative ) pawn chain and counter-attacking possibilities in Chess literature to react the! Attacking d4 way now lets jump into French Defense the central tension pawn Structures heavily theoretical lines, including most... Play c2-c3 anymore, which correspond to each of the King and is... Achieve counterplay, Black wants to put pressure on e4 by moving his King pawn one square (! D4 pawn especially strong against the French has a good reputation, and there several! And ideas were explained in easy way now lets start analyzing French Defense Winawer variations plans. And Black have two main piece setups bishop, putting additional pressure on Black 's on... C6 2.d4 d5, 3 Hannes, Watson, John c2-c3 Nb8-c6 5 Amant! Qg3 13.Bf5 Re2 14.Nd4 Nxd4 0–1 Classical Variation ) setup, this move is also useful in White. The simplest way - by exchanging on d5 light-squared bishop, putting additional on. Caro-Kann Defence move-order ( 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6?. Line with success for Black in the centre and on the kingside, where Black is weaker.