I recently came across this opening by an adept player with roughly a 1700 rating. I had never seen this opening before, which stirred my intrigue for the opening. I was hoping I could get some information on this opening. To start with, does anyone know the name of this opening? It proved to be a very acerbic opening because he was able to utilize his bishops effectively with so much open space. Could I get some pointers on both how to counter this opening and also how to use this opening myself in order to understand why one might use this opening? Thanks 

-Jeremy

oops, should say "black to move"

sorry for the confusion

French advance variation. I use it myself as white. It's nice.

Under explorer, it "French defense - advance variation".  The next most popular move by black is c5 and it is an equal # of wins for both white & black from there.

Here is a game I played as white, just to give some ideas of attacks for white and black.

AtahanT, your game is nice but it doesn't show the main lines and themes in the french advance. Here is the main line:

The french advance is easy to equalize with black, especially with the 5...Bd7 variation usually followed by ...Nge7, ...Ng6, and ...f6, destroying white's center and tying to take it over compared to 5...Qb6. I think 3 Nc3 and 3 Nd2 are better moves because often black has to make a concession in order to force an e5 advance, closing the center and allowing the chain to be attacked. For example, after 3 Nd2 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7 white is able to support his center with both bishop pawns with more chances for it to hold and build a kingside attack. If he tried that in the advance variation, his center would get destroyed because it wouldn't be backed up by pieces.

This is not necessarilly the main line either but shows that black can win against the advance variation. I agree that other variations cause black more problems.

^ Black resigns?

I think he means white resigns because black won.

Those are some great answers, and I think that I can now use the French Advance Variation opening to my advantage now. I actually find myself playing a 1777 right now in a tournament game where I am using this opening. I will post how the game played out after it is over for those who are interested. Does anyone else have anything else they would like to add about this opening? I am still very interested. Thanks again to all who replied!

 Yes. As black you need to watch out for the greek gift when facing french advanced. It is very common with that pawn structure and can lead to a very quick defeat and is not easily spotted if you do not know it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_gift_sacrifice

Usually I liquidate e5 with ...f6 before that can happen, or even ...0-0-0.

Black is surely winning and he resigns? It looks like he can still threaten the white pieces and will be a pawn up

the french advance variation seems like it gives away too much center control and space. It would be risky to play in a tournament match.

French: Advance. It's theoretically equal, although some people claim that Black has an edge. I personally don't like it from White's perspective - I think Nc3 is better - but it has a number of traps that catch beginners off-guard.

you should take a look at the milner-barry gambit. Really sharp development for white with a couple of nice traps if black is unaware of his development strategy.

I've never played it against an opponent, but my computer choses the french defence all the time. I found that, as white, by whipping out my queen to g3 before developing my horse, a nasty little attack on the kingside can begin. Again, not tried against a real opponent though.

Great game

p.s. I meant the advance variation.