How does the french not play for a win? At least besisdes the exchange variation, the french creates a big pawn chain struggle with dynamic counterplay.

I'll admit, I may not be the best player but I do like the French quite a bit.  I find it usually works pretty well for castling to either side and players don't really know any good traps to play against it.  It doesn't really play for a win without a blunder for white but it does play for a draw pretty well.

"I don't see the point of playing the French as black.  It is similar to the Caro-Kann but in the Caro-Kann you can get your bishop out so it doesn't become 'bad'.  Any French players want to explain?"

Yes. the point of playing e6 as opposed to c6 is that black doesn't want to exchange off his d5 pawn. Instead, he wants to attack white's pawn chain with ...c5. Alot of times (well in the advance variation which is better for black than this one) black actually ends up winning the center. with c6 you are just hoping that white can't make use of his space advantage but since black doesn't attack anything although his bishop is open he has less counterplay. white is under more pressure from the ...c5 and ...f6 moves than just exchanging pawns off in the caro-kann.

i think the knights seem a bit closed off. i mean to say they are on the deffenceive side

@staggerlee:

In my case, trying to avoid the Ruy Lopez, I found the French!
Sometimes I play the Caro-Kann but I prefer French Defence than Caro-Kan.

And don't worry about the light-square Bishop on c8 because  it can be playable in the queenside too, or after 'f6' [trying to break the centre pawns] the Bishop may also be playable on kingside too, by the route 'd7-e8-f7/g6', or can played in 'e6' after exf5. There are lots of variations and combinations, it depends of your preference!

I prefer to not underestimate any defence because they have their advantages, but also consequences!

QB6 would be met with QB3...

Qb6 may open up chance of attack for Black

I don't see the point of playing the French as black.  It is similar to the Caro-Kann but in the Caro-Kann you can get your bishop out so it doesn't become 'bad'.  Any French players want to explain?

Good representation.

 we must see the position....