French Defense

Hello French Defense Lovers !

I have been using this defense for a long time. I know the pros and cons very well.

It has been popular for many years.

It got its name from a correspondence chess game played between London and Paris. (1834-1836)

If you are playing this defense, you need to know when and where to castling.

Otherwise, I would like to inform you that you will soon be checkmate.

The most common pawn situation is given in the table below.

There are 3 factors for white in the opening.

There are moves you need to know for each variant.

First of all, I will show you the development methods of the c8 bishop with a few variants.

Because the general problem of the opening is this bishop.

Sometimes moves such as Bd7-Be8-Bh5 (Bg6) can be used.

While Teichmann used this defense against Tarrasch, he had no solution for the bishop.

Let's come back.

Before moving on to its advantages, the most important thing to consider is below! 

Ideas for White:
1. Try to get your light-squared Bishop onto the b1-h7
diagonal. Don't exchange it for Black's light squared
Bishop if you can help it.
2. If Black develops slowly try to play f2-f4 and f4-f5.
3. If Black moves out his dark-squared Bishop consider
playing Qd1-g4.
4. Don't attack Black's centre with c2-c4 (or c3-c4) while
he still has a light-squared bishop on the board.
5. If you've exchanged off your pawn on e5 try to occupy
e5 with a piece.
6. If you've exchanged off your pawn on d4 try to occupy
d4 with a piece.

Ideas for Black:
1. Play c7-c5 as soon as you can, but watch out for Nc3-b5
followed by Nb5-d6.
2. Play f7-f6 as soon as your King is safe BUT NOT
BEFORE: White may have tactics based on Bd3 and Qh5.
3. Think twice before playing either c5xd4 or c5-c4. Both
these moves are sometimes good but do take the
pressure off White's centre.
4. Consider exchanging off your light-squared Bishop by
playing b6 and Ba6.
5. Aim for exchanges to free your cramped position.
6. If the centre remains blocked start a pawn advance on
the opposite side of the board to where your King is living.

I will give a few variants below that I have worked with.

Now I will try to explain this defense to you with the analysis of my own games.

Two games in which I perform a kingside attack.

You can keep the king safe in the center.

The opponent can play calm and balanced.

You should definitely know the Milner Bary gambit. 

Now I'll show you 2 games in which I use the double bishop in effective position.

Another

I will share a game that I lost badly to Master in a variant that I know little. Never give the h1-a8 diagonal to the opponent after dxe4.

Let's end the french defense with a few interesting games and variants.

Another

And I saved my favorite game for last.

The meaning of this game is very different to me.

Playing French is a privilege.

If you have a question about defense, just send me a message.

See you soon ...