Only Chess
10 Jun 07
10 Jun 07
Originally posted by Dutch DefenseIf you want some advice or some possible lines to see if you like it, see User 193748. He should be able to tell you what you need to know/look out for.
Does anyone recommend playing this opening (1.e4 e6)?
10 Jun 07
Originally posted by KorchI've been a bit afraid of the French Defense as it seems to be a very theory heavy opening - but mainly, I just don't know what to do with the queen's bishop, it just seems useless for so long?
Of course - I`m playing French OTB sometimes 🙂
Which of lines do you want to know?
10 Jun 07
I dont play Winaver because I`m playing Rubinstein (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4), but in Advance line (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5) I can recommend 2 plans
1) 3,....Ne7 with idea of 4....b6 and 5...Ba6 (exchanging dangerous white squared bishop)
2) 3....c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 (with idea of 5....Nge7 6...cxd4 7....Nf5)
10 Jun 07
Originally posted by Sam The ShamI agree it's a perfectly good opening, although it depends on your style of play. Personally, I find you often end up in positions which I wouldn't like to play either side of. Obviously, that doesn't mean they're bad (can't be bad for both sides), they just don't suit my style. Specifically, the centre often ends up totally locked and I never really know how to make progress or defend those type of positions. So I avoid it. But you may love it - give it a go.
It's a fine opening for black. Every world champion and all master and above players have made it part of their repertoire.
Did I spell repertoire right?
I suspect one advantage of being a French defence guru is that, because the positions tend to have a character all their own, over time you will probably become more familiar with the style of play than your opponents (except the minority who also play the French regularly). I know you could say this about a lot of openings, but somehow, to me at least, it seems especially true of the French.
Incidentally, I don't think it's quite true that all world champs have played it (can't recall seeing it from Kasparov, for example, but you may know better) and it's certainly not true of all masters - I doubt you could say that about any reply to 1e4. But it does have a very respectable pedigree at the highest level.
11 Jun 07
1 edit
I would recommend the defense, there is much to learn and it is solid enough for GM's to play it.
Deciding where to put the Ng7 often seems important because it can go to numerous places (f6, g6, f5 etc). Also, chosing when to spend time on your Bc8 and when to use time for other projects is important.
11 Jun 07
Originally posted by Dutch DefenseClan 24492
Does anyone recommend playing this opening (1.e4 e6)?
I can say that for me after playing the Sicilian for a quarter century, switching to the French was part of my overall scheme for improvement that now has me regularly winning Club events in my fair city.