This line had it's heyday with Morphy, in the meantime White can't expect a theoretical advantage but it does cut out the Winawer - I've got a little bored of playing the Poisoned Pawn variation. Also I play the French as Black as a second opening and so as I'll see it every now and again as black it's a good idea to play it a bit as white.

?! Bd3

Black should play Bg4.

The pin on g4 is a pain which is why I played this, but I've used up a tempo doing this so I can't expect anything more than equality out of the opening.

I don't think this is the right plan for black, the bishop's not that threatening and black's used up the tempo I gave him earlier.

This isn't great, the f6 knight stops any tricks against h7 and I'm more interested in Ne5. If black tries f7-f6 then his kingside is Swiss cheese.

Consistent with my natural plan of pressurising the e5 square.

Black aims for an IQP, but it make more sense to do this in one move. The queen doesn't add much on b6.

! 15. dxc5 Bxc5 hits f2 so I use my pressure on e5 to keep control.

Black has to concede the e-file.