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The Faithful French Defense - A beginner's guide.

The Faithful French Defense - A beginner's guide.

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Table of Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Key Ideas

3. Why Play The French?

4. Beating The French

5. Masters of The French

6. Conclusion

Introduction

It's widely understood that a chess game has 3 parts - an opening, a middle game, and the endgame. But if you don't play a good opening, you might not even get to the middle game.

As black, you respond directly to white's first move, which, according to lichess.org's database, is e4 45% of the time. Having a strong response to this move is imperative, and a strong and sound one is the French Defense. In this blog, we will explore the various lines and tacticians in this opening's storied history.

Key Ideas

1. c5 break:

In the French Defense, the c5 break is extremely common in all variations of the game. Take this Winawer for example.

Although black's bishop is already developed, c5 is played to free up the c6 square for the knight. c5 is more commonly found in lines such as the advance, however.

2. Light Squared Bishop development:

In the French, you will notice that the e6 square completely blocks the light-squared bishop.

Black's bishop can be developed many ways, but potentially the most sharp is a fianchetto. This applies pressure to white's kingside and can lead to many attacking games.

Granted, this is a bit off beat (+1), and a more common way is to get the bishop out by moving the pawns that block it.

3. Counter-Attack the center!
After 1.e4, white is aiming to create a strong center with d4 and potentially even c4 or f4. Playing the French may seem like it passively gives up the center, but in fact black is fighting for it the whole time. 
In both mainlines of the French, black applies pressure to the center and, in the exchange, neutralizes it completely.

Why play the French?
Besides the reasons and key ideas given above, the French can be a strong and dangerous tool playing against somebody who doesn't know much French Theory. It is solid but also has traps, the most famous being this poisoned pawn in the Winawer. If you're opponent doesn't know this line, they may have already lost the game.
In addition, the French offers a great option to a beginner who wants to challenge white's center, but doesn't want to delve in the complexities of the Sicilian. The static, positional play can lead to exciting middle games, and if white is not careful they could easily lose a pawn to something such as Qb6.
So.... how do I beat the French?
As like most openings, there is no "solution" to the French. It simply is a solid opening and cannot be completely exploited with perfect play. That said, however, there is a multitude of options for white to respond with.
1. Milner-Barry Gambit
The Milner-Barry Gambit is a great way to respond to the annoying advance variation while maintaining good development and king safety. Although the computer gives black a slight advantage, it is hard to hold for a human.
2. Exchange
If you are somebody who doesn't want to mess with the sharp lines of the mainline, diverting it into a position with better development and fast castling may not be a bad idea. This is a great way to get into the middle game equal, or with a slight advantage.


3. King's Indian Attack
The King's Indian Attack is another great way to get into a familiar position. White has a fianchetto on g2, and can easily develop the rest of their pieces. This can be a great opening for positional players who love things such as the hungarian or nimzo-larsen.
Masters of The French
Viktor Korchnoi:
   Potentially the greatest French Defense player of all time, Korchnoi excelled in the french and even frequently used it on Garry Kasparov himself. He even had a gambit named after him in the French!
(technically the Tarrasch closed)
Ding Liren:
A more modern addition to this list, Ding frequently played the French against both Nepo and Gukesh in the world championships. 
In this game, Ding showcased how to use the French to its full power, coaxing Gukesh into mistakes by playing solidly.
Mikhail Botvinnik:

Botvinnik, with a 2885 peak rating, may have been the greatest player that used the French as their main response.  He specialized in the Winawer, and hardly ever played the mainline. Just like Korchnoi, he also has an opening named after him in the French (and it's also in the closed Tarrasch). Potentially this great game against GM Smyslov best represents the type of positions Botvinnik would get.
Looking at this game, I think we can realize why the French was such a powerful opening in Botvinnik's hands. He made beautiful maneuvers in a closed position to not only improve his position, but to get a winning advantage.
Conclusion

Today, we learned how to play the French, but also how to play against it. We learned the great opening maestros of its storied history, and we looked and analyzed the greats' games. Thank you so much for reading !