Refuting e4! French Defense - Full Analysis

So recently, there has been lots of commotion on chess.com, in the forums, blogs, or even clubs! 

Which opening is better? The French Defense or the Caro Kann? 

Now off course, I can't argue with nothing. Both openings are great and evolve chess-skill. But which opening is really better? 

Here are some inspirational words by @ChessFlyFisher:

"I thought that we settled this. The French has more winning chances but it also has more losing chances. The Caro-Kann has fewer winning chances but it also has more drawing chances. OK., let`s move on now."

I partly agree and partly disagree. You see, the Caro-Kann is indeed the solidest opening that you can play as black. Which also means that it has the largest 'draw percentage' out of all of them. But some lines and sacrifices, in-fact lead to a win for either black or white. And thus aside, part of the comment mentioned is false, and part is totally reasonable. 

@Chamo2074 didn't agree apparently:

"not at all

The french has equal losing chances, more winning chances, a less drawing chances

'The charo has equal losing chances, less winning chances, and more drawing chances.

They say: "The caro is the best draw weapon black has against 1.e4"

some people argue the french is second but it can get really sharp or at least dynamic"

"The caro is the best draw weapon for black against 1.e4"

Hmm... I agree. I don't know much opening theory, but out of all the openings I know, the Caro seems to be the 'solid one'. Like mentioned before, it is also very solid. I agree with Chamo, and I partly agree with Fisher. 

As you may have already noticed, I'm a French Defense fan . (Please don't get mad at me, I don't deserve hate lol.) 

And that's why today I will be showing different variants of the French Defense!

Number 1: The Exchange

I hate the exchange variation for both black and white. It's legit the most boring opening ever. It is the only line in the French where both sides get bored.

Whenever white plays the exchange, I kinda have to cope with the boredom, and wait until it's all over lol. Here is an interesting line I like to play as black against the exchange:

As you can see, the position is literally symmetrical, which also proves the boredom...

But that aside, black has a great position, later developing their knight, and getting rid of the pin. (by moving their queen out of the dangerous diagonal/pin.)

Another line in the exchange French is the Monte Carlo. White decides to go for the Queens Gambit setup. Here is a common line than can be played by black:

Here black is doing completely fine, and will later target white's weak pawn. I recommend this variation because it is easy to memorize, and it produces problems for white.

2. The Rubenstein

When white proceeds to play the most popular line, 3.Nc3, black needs to learn how to play against it. There are a couple of lines that you can learn, and they will help you in the future when you face it. One of the lines is the Rubenstein variation. There are 2 main lines in the Rubenstein, but personally, I only recommend one of them.

Here is the format that I don't like and why:

As mentioned in the analysis, black's queen is totally out of place. Thus leading to traps as you probably saw on the chess board.

There is ANOTHER popular line in the Rubenstein that I like myself. And... here it is:

In this line, black's queen is not in danger! And to top it all off, their knight is developed! They will proceed to castle, and develop their pieces on the queenside. 

Here is a game that I played vs. the famous @2Ke21-0, in an Untitled Tuesday. He ended up winning using this very line! Take a look at the game:

(I don't want to btw, because I'm to ashamed of myself lol)

Soo... ya. He crushed me. But we don't talk about that! He was playing the exact Rubenstein line that I just showed. His pieces quickly developed, and at the very end, his pieces contributed to make a very strong attack.

And lastly...

3. Winawer

This is my favorite. Although it really is, it's also challenging to memorize. Basically the main concept of the opening-line, is that black's bishop pins white's knight and targets the e4 pawn. Later on, white gets doubled pawns and an uncomfortable position:

The line I just showed isn't just the most common Winawer line, it is also the most popular French Defense line! It is played among many masters, and beginners. It's easy to catch and learn altogether.

Conclusion

The French Defense is a great opening for black, and can produce problems for white as they play against it. It is very interesting and solid as well!

Please make sure to comment down below what YOUR favorite opening is!

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See ya next time!