This is the exchange variation of the french. Almost every other continuation apart from  3 exd5 is much more fun...

correct but still many people use this because it is a "defense"

the tarrash french is the best for white the rubinstien is best for black

Alekhine, Nimzowitsch, and Spielmann all suggested that the Exchange Variation of the French actually favored Black.

What is the most difficult defense for an e4 player to win against? Why is e4 so seldom played in Super-GM matches and tournaments? The answer to both questions is the Petrov defense.

Now, look at this diagram:

Another option from the above diagram is for White to play 7.Ne5. Then White is playing the Black side of the currently most popular Tabiya in the Petrov.

that can lead to some pressure for black to keep central control

Why not 5. d4 straight away? White isn't forced to waste a tempo.

EDIT: Nevermind, i see you mentioned it.

Even as a french player, I can't agree with that.

Maybe they mean from a practical view, since white has nobody to copy so he perhaps has a better chance of screwing up, and add on to that the fact that many people who play the exchange as white are not very passionate about it, but mostly choose it to draw or "for lack of a more open variation". The black player should almost always have more experience in this variation if he plays it regularly.

I could not imagine though that the extra tempo, used correctly, will give black the better game. Black is still fighting to equalize, it's just much easier to achieve it. Personally I'm happy to see the exchange, as it's so much less challenging for black than the main lines, and this gives black a freedom to do what he wants. He should be able to in most cases imbalance the position in some way at least to be able to outplay his opponent.

Compare the OP's thread title to his actual post. Yeah that just screams VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!

I'm not falling for that again.

its a lot better for black if white does and better for white if black does it oh and it is pretty important to learn the french defense

yay!!!!!!!!!!!

wheeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok..i dont see why you just dont play 4.Nxf7

Amazing, a beginner "discovers" the French...

Cheese cake anyone?

Mmm cake

Quoting Lev Psakhis, "The French is like a proud woman who does not give her heart away easily.  In order to master this difficult opening, it is not enough to know a few variations.  You have to put your 'heart and soul' into it, you have to love it, and only in this way will you understand its mysteries."  Amen.

mmm, french women...