French Defence: An Overview of the Main Variations. French Defense Chess How to Beat the French Defense

difficulty: ★

The French Defense is obtained after the moves 1. e4 e6. Black is preparing the d7-d5 advance in the center. The disadvantage of this approach is that the light-squared bishop on c8 remains locked. It is also called the "French" elephant. However, the debut is very solid and enjoys great popularity at all levels. The game can go according to different scenarios.

Exchange option

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. ed ed

The variation is harmless, since after the exchange the bishop c8 is opened, and with this, Black's only problem in the French defense is solved. However, White sometimes plays this way if he wants to get a simple position without risk. Although the position is symmetrical, the extra pace of the first move promises minimal initiative. Often White uses the exchange variation to make a draw. For example, playing against a stronger opponent. Black should keep this in mind if he needs a win according to his tournament position. Winning with black in the exchange variation is not easy (but not impossible!).

Nimzowitsch variation

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5

White closes the center, taking even more space. He will try to choke the opponent, and black will counterattack the center with c7-c5 and sometimes f7-f6. For example, 3. … c5 4. c3 Kc6 5. Kf3 Qb6, etc. The variant leads to an interesting and principled struggle.

Vinaver variant

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Kc3 Bb4

Black indirectly attacks the e4 pawn by pinning the knight. White must decide whether to play e5 or sacrifice a pawn for the rapid development of his pieces. Usually they close the center: 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Cxc3+ 6. bc Ke7 7. Qg4. Further, Black often sacrifices a pawn on g7, while he himself develops the initiative on the queenside, where White has weak doubled pawns. The game becomes very sharp.
Classic variant

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Kc3 Kf6

Black fights for the center in a less risky way. White's choice is to play 4. e5 or to maintain tension with 5. Bg5.
Tarrasch variant

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Kd2

White defends on e4, avoiding the Vinaver variation. The game takes on a more relaxed character. Black has two fundamentally different answers: 3. ... Kf6, forcing White to close the center with a position typical of the French Defense, or play 3. c5 straight away, which leads to a more open struggle. In the latter case, a position with an isolated d5-pawn can often arise for Black.
Rubinstein variant

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Kc3 ed 4. Kxe4 or 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Kd2 ed 4. Kxe4

Black relieves tension in the center, giving White a slight advantage in space and development, but gaining a strong position without weaknesses. The advantage of this variation for black is that it can be played both for 3. Kc3 and for 3. Kd2, which simplifies the preparation.

We have discussed the most fundamental variations of the French Defence, where White immediately takes the center with 2. d4. Of course, you can play differently on the second move, for example, 2. d3, 2. Kf3, 2. f4. All these moves have a right to exist and are used if White wants to shift the weight of the struggle to the middlegame without competing in the knowledge of opening theory.

The French Defense is the choice of patient, positional players, but able and ready to launch a decisive counterattack on occasion.

I am glad to welcome you, dear friend!

Do you have Napoleonic plans in chess? If so, it's time to somehow join the homeland of the great commander. No, it's not about champagne, of course. I think you have already guessed that the French Defense is on the agenda today.

What is a French Defence?

In the classification adopted in chess, the French Defense is an opening.

The contours of the "French" are determined immediately during the first move:

1.e4 e6

The ideological basis of the debut is quite convincing. Black does not undertake the obligation to "fight without losing an inch of ground", but is going to counterattack the center with pawn undermining f7-f6 And c7-c5, as well as curly pressure Bb4,Qb6, Ng8-е7-f5,Kc6 .

There is no unequivocal answer to the question of whether the French Defense equalizes Black's chances. Disputes about this and about the correctness of this opening do not subside to this day. And there is no end in sight to these disputes in the near future.

Basic Options

Below is an overview of the main continuations for White and Black in the French Defense.

Nimzowitsch system

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5

One of the most ambitious options. Having closed the center and seized the space, White starts pressing all over the board. The question is how reliably they will be able to protect the central pawns. This popular system is played by Grischuk, Svidler, Shirov.

3…. c5 4. c3

Today, this move is considered mandatory.

4…. Qb6

5.Kf3 Kc6

Here's a fork of the variant. White has a choice: 6.Be2 6.Bd3 and 6.а3

The strongest today is considered 6.a3

White set out to seize space on the queenside.

Main option:

With mutual chances.

Rubinstein variant

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 de

Black is heading for unloading in the center. The logic is quite simple and reliable, like the whole option.

4.Nxe4 Nd7 Preparing the move Ngf6

With roughly equal game. Galkin-Bareev 2001

Morozevich variant

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7

This puzzling move is made to develop the bishop into a secure position and see which line White chooses.

4.Bd3 the most popular move. Other features 4.c3, 4.e5 4.Ngf3

An example option for Bd3:

With an advantage for White. Anisimov-Nepomniachtchi 2007

Tarrasch system

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5

Black immediately undermines the center before it is "ossified" yet.

4.ed

After 4.с3 сd 5.cd de 6.K:е4 Kf6 Black has no difficulty.

4…Q:d5 5.dc

Black has a good game. Baloh-Vitiugov 2011

Vinavera system

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4

A double-edged variation that requires accurate and energetic play for both White and Black.

4.e5

Fundamental answer. White does not allow the knight to f6 and prepares to develop the initiative on the kingside.

5…с5 6.a3

With a draw. Rivero-Bhat, 2008

McCatchon's counterattack

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Cg5 Bb4

5.ed Qxd5

The game is equal. Rabiego-Hübner 2001

Steinitz system

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6

In the Steinitz system, the game is played in a positional manner.

May follow:

White has a slight advantage. Almashy-Volkov, 2011

Pitfalls and Common Mistakes

Idea fix

White was so engrossed in his idea of sweeping away Black's entire kingside with the queens that he completely ignored the opposition. The result is on the board.

Gap

The unexpected intermediate move Qd2 dashed all Black's hopes. They lose their queen.

How good is the French Defense?

Limiting yourself to a single opening in modern chess is hardly reasonable.

However, the range of possibilities in the French Defense is very wide. With the optimal choice and alternation of different variations, Black's entire opening repertoire in response to 1.e4 can be placed within the framework of the French Defence.

It's convenient enough. You can focus on a deeper study of this opening.

It is safe to say that the French Defense will not be refuted in the foreseeable future. So, you can safely build your debut repertoire brick by brick based on French. Play and win.

Sample games

Grischuk - Morozevich
2016 World Blitz Championship 1-0

HowYifan— Kramnik
2016, 10th Kings Rapid Match 0-1

Sutovsky — Ivanchuk
2015, ACP Masters 0-1

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Today we will look at French Defense for White . This opening can be when Black responds to e4-e6.

French defense. Opening Basics for White

In the French Defense, White plays to capture the center. Black also begins to fight for the center.

Here, White can have different options: with a strong opponent, you can play ed - there will be quick exchanges and the probability of a draw is very high.

If you play with a peer, you can play to win Nd2. Black plays either c5 or Nf6 here.

Now it's time to play e5 because it will be a tempo move.

Again the pawn on d4 is undermined. But the exchange is unfavorable for White, because he gets doubled pawns, while Black takes the central good pawn. Therefore, White needs to reinforce d4 with c3.

French defense for White - 1

Now the most important moment is to move the knight to e2, leaving the e3 point for the second knight and the pieces will not interfere with each other.

It turned out to be a very pleasant position for White. Nb2 moved to f3 by a tricky route and the knight from g2 did not interfere with it, and White's pieces are well developed.

French defense for White - 2

If Black had played more aggressively and played Qb6 instead of Be7 on the 7th move, he would have put pressure on d4. Then White should immediately play Nf3. Black beats, white beats and everything is in perfect order. White castles short here and plays on the C and E lines.

French defense for White - 3

YOUNG FIGHTER COURSE

We continue to publish the book of the fifth world champion Dr. Max Euwe and chess lover Walter Meyden "Master vs. Amateur", which has gone through more than ten editions abroad, but is unknown to our readers. Today we are talking about the main ideas of the French Defense, which in the hands of an experienced master can become a formidable weapon.

PARTY #8

General opening ideas 1.e4 e6. The theory of the variation 3.e5 c5. Drawbacks of Bb5 followed by Bc6+ in the French Defence. Diagonal game. Maneuvering an opponent in a position unsuitable for defense.

Behind every chess opening there is a certain fundamental idea, and the opening itself is defined by a series of white moves designed to maintain and increase a small advantage due to the right to advance, and a series of black retaliatory moves aimed at neutralizing White's efforts. In all strong openings, equality occurs after a number of moves, but in certain beginnings, achieving equality requires serious effort.

When playing the opening, it is very important to understand the main idea of this opening. At the same time, knowing by heart a number of opening variations can hardly save the player if he counts only on this, and the opponent evades the variations with which he is familiar. On the other hand, a player who understands the basic ideas of the opening recognizes what the real power of the formation is and plays accordingly.

However, chess is so complex that as soon as players deviate from the main line of theory, the game can take place in a completely unusual way. In such cases, more important than understanding the essence of the opening is the knowledge of the fundamental resources of the position and the ability to use them in the game.

If one side is superior, the open files are most useful for capitalizing on the advantage, as will be shown in this game, in which the amateur (White) will, through common mistakes, allow Black to capture the opening of the file.

French defense

Amateur - master

1. e4 e6

Compared to 1…е5 looks like a timid move, but in the hands of a player who knows the ideas of the opening, this is the beginning - an excellent strategic system in which Black plans to a) build a solid defensive pawn wall by… d5; b) attack White's pawn center with ...c5 at an opportune moment, assuming that White will play d4 as usual. This variation gives chances to both sides, but misunderstanding of Black's overall goals and the meaning of individual moves can lead to White's defeat. The theory of the French Defense will be explained in detail in games no. 21, and later in games nos. 22 and 23.

2.d4. White captures the center. Players who do not know the theory often respond with 2.Kf3, after which Black still responds with 2…d5, which can lead to the same variations that are known in theory: for example, a) 3.ed5 ed5 4.d4 (an exchange variation of the French Defense) ; b) 3.e5 c5, which could lead to positions considered in this game. If White does not exchange or advance the pawn, but plays 4.Nc3, Black has a choice between several good moves: 3...Kf6, 3...c5 and 3...d4.

Black completes his defensive pawn formation and threatens 3…de4, forcing White to do something to counter this threat.

White can defend the attacked pawn by 3.Nc3 (the most commonly used continuation), or by 3.Kbd2 (Tarrasch variation), or exchange the central pawns by 3.ed5 (exchange variation), which leads to symmetrical positions with a possible draw, or else continue 3.e5, choosing a line often played by amateurs - and only occasionally by masters.

REVIVED OPTION

3.e5 (see diagram 1)

At first glance, this advance looks strong, as White's pawn invades the 5th rank deep into enemy territory. However, this move also has a number of serious drawbacks: a) White loses pace by moving the pawn a second time; b) they relieve the tension that took place in the center, when each of the sides could make an exchange, and instead fix the pawns; c) since White's pawn is on e5, the d4-pawn must be busy defending it and therefore becomes more vulnerable to attack; thus, by playing 3.е5, White creates an object for attack in the face of the d4-pawn.

Regarding the value of 3.e5, chess theory has changed significantly over the last century. And if in the 19th century this variation was played constantly, at the beginning of the 20th century it was first discredited and then revived by Nimzowitsch. At present, the line with 3.e5 is considered satisfactory, although it does not offer an advantage.

3…c5. Black immediately threatens to destroy White's center.

According to many chess theorists, White should keep his center as long as possible. They support the d4-pawn with 4.c3, and there is usually a long fight for possession of the center.

STRENGTH OR WEAKNESS?

4.dc5. The beginner, not understanding the importance of maintaining control over the four central squares (d4, e4, d5, e5), changes and thus surrenders the center. This move has several drawbacks: a) it leads to the surrender of the center, that is, White acts cooperatively with Black, whose goal is to destroy the center of White; b) he allows Black to win a tempo by capturing the pawn with the bishop; c) he leaves White without development, except for the lone far-advanced e5-pawn; d) he weakens the e5-pawn.

Nevertheless, the beginner, undoubtedly, without the slightest hint of understanding of chess principles, chose a completely playable variation. By taking on c5, Black creates a strong outpost for himself on the d4 square, that is, a square on which he can place a piece, which it will not be easy for his opponent to knock out. The strength of this outpost will be shown in game #21.

4…Nc6. Before taking on c5, Black attacks the e5-pawn. They can do it safely, since they will win one of the two pawns anyway.

5.f4? A gross positional error that allows Black to expand the boundaries of development, while simultaneously opening White's kingside for an attack.

White should have defended his pawn by 5.Kf3, and after 5…Bc5 6.Cd3 he would not have had much difficulty. After Black's castle, White could launch an attack on the kingside, with his e5-pawn being an obstacle to Black's successful defense. Such an attack is one of White's strategic weapons in the French defence. For example, 6…Kge7 7.0-0 0-0? 8.Ch7+! Kph7 9.Kg5+ Kpg8 (9…Kpg6 is another line also favorable for White, see game no. 19) 10.Qh5 Re8 11.Qh7+ (better than 11.Qf7+) 11…Kpf8 12.Qh8+ Kg8+ 13.Kh7+ Kpe7 14.Cg5+ Kf6 (14…f6 15.Qg7x) 15.ef6+ Kpd6 16.Qg7, and White has two extra pawns in a great position. But if Black does not castle, there is a great chance for both sides to maintain equality: 7…Kg6 (instead of 0-0) 8.Re1 Bd7 9.c3 Qe7 10.Kbd2 0-0-0 11.Kb3 Cb6, and White at his disposal the d4-square and a slight weakness on e5. The chances are about equal.

5…Bc5. Black continues to develop the pieces towards the center. They now have a solid formation of two pieces and two pawns, while White only has two pawns in play, plus a weakened kingside.

6.Bb5? (see diagram 2)

Beginners' favorite move in the 3.e5 variation of the French Defence. It's bad partly because it's imperative that White develop his g1-knight first, and partly because the b5-bishop can be attacked by... Qb6.

STRATEGY OF DEFEAT

The main disadvantage of this move is strategic. There is no immediate threat to White's position, but for long-range planning it is very weak. Although beginners often do this, White shouldn't even think about capturing the c6-knight, as it a) leaves Black with two bishops; b) strengthen Black's center; c) open the b-file for Black's rook; d) open the diagonal for black's bishop c8. Usually such a move is made only if it is forced - for example, to avoid losing a pawn.

6…Qb6. By threatening both 7…Bg1 and 7…Qb5, Black forces White to play 7.Bc6.

7.Bc6+ bc6. Taking the bishop with a pawn, Black opens diagonals for his hitherto inactive bishop. Both for this reason and in order to keep the queen on the same diagonal with the dark-squared bishop, where it threatens the knight on g1, Black did not even think about capturing White's bishop with the queen.

8.Kf3?? (see diagram 3)

Correct, although unsatisfactory (since White can no longer castle) would be 8.Ne2 or 8.Kh3, given the specifics of the position. The move 8.Kf3 is a mistake, since White didn't try to close the diagonal opened after 7…bc6. The move 8.Ne2 ensured this, while the move 8.Kh3, defending the f2-square, prevented an immediate catastrophe.

8…Cf2+

9.Kpe2! This is better than 9.Kpf1? leading to loss immediately after 9…Ba6+, and much better than 9.Kpd2?? because of 9…Qe3x.

9…Ca6+

10.с4! This is the essence of White's defense. By giving up a pawn, White gains shelter on c2.

10…Bc4+

11.Kpd2 Qe3+

12.Kpc2 (see diagram 4)

The whites are in hiding. But in a position where Black's three pieces move freely across enemy territory, White's king is exposed and all pieces are passive, Black must either find checkmate or achieve a decisive material advantage.

12…Qe4+! Chasing the king into the open field.

13.Kc3 Ce2. Another hard hit. White's queen must now occupy a square that will block the movement of white's king.

14.Fs2(If 14.Qd2, then 14...Qc4x. 14.Qb3 will be followed by 14...Qd3+ 15.Kpb4 Rb8+ with a win)

14…d4+

15.Kpb3 Rb8+. White resigned.