Comparison: French vs. Caro Kann Part 1: Advance French
The French and Caro Kann Defenses are known for building up toward the center rather than taking the center immediately. Both prepare d5 with either 1...e6 or 1...c6. Both I've looked at for a bit recently and both openings are similar to each other in some ways. This blog series gonna be a summary of what each opening's (and its lines) like, the ideas and how you should play each opening this blog with a wrap-up summary and comparing the two openings. This first part I will talk about the French Defense, specifically on the Advance French.
French Defense: The Advance French
The French Defense is classified with e4 e6.
There are many variations that come from the French. This blog post will explain the Advance Variation.
The Advance French is classified as e4 e6 d4 d5 e5
Black's point is to dislodge the central wedge and try to open up the center. Normally white plays c3. I'll show a line where black gets a comfortable position.
After c3, Nc6 adds pressure to the white's d-pawn which is white's weakness right now. Our goal as black is to continue to add pressure to white's d-pawn until it's the right time to take it.
Sometimes though the d4 pawn isn't a good pawn to win.
One of the mainlines after Nc6, Nf3, Qb6, there is a line where you actually lose your queen! That is the tricky Bd3 line also known as the Milner-Barry Gambit:
Obviously as previously mentioned, here's a puzzle to see if you can find the move. Start off with Bd3:
The tactic involved in Bd3 is the discovered attack that black forgot to cover. Which begs the question, is the Qb6 line better or the Bd7 line otherwise known as the Euwe Variation?
Qb6:
The Qb6 line should be a reminder from the previous segment of the French Defense. Here's the diagram:
According to the engine I use on chess.com (though it can vary from other users) is +0.27. The main line is a3.
As explained, a3 prepares b4, a queenside expansion to counter black's pressure on its weakness, d4. Black can prevent that with c4. If black still goes ahead with b4, black has cxb3, essentially en passant.
The other mainline is Be2, a lazy move so white can castle short the next move. Normally, black should take with cxd4. White replies with cxd4 and black would love to put the g8 knight on f5 via h6 or e7. I recommend Nge7 then Nf5 because of Nh6, there is a chance that white plays Bxh6 and you're forced to double pawns on the h-file. You could use that to your advantage by using the open g-file for an attack. Either way if white doesn't take, Nh6 and Nge7 both prepare Nf5, adding more pressure to d4.
A line after Nge7 is Na3. Na3 plans to rotate the knight to c2, protecting the d4 pawn.
Another line that is in the Advance French is Nc3 after Nh6.
As mentioned, it plans to attack black's queen with Na4 but it won't turn out nicely.
Let's say white plays g4 to dislodge your knight on f5.
Well, g4 isn't a great move because it weakens white's kingside quite a bit.
That's it for the Advance French in this part of the series. Some parts might be inaccurate but I tried to make it as neat and informative as possible so hopefully you learned a bit or two. Next up is the Exchange French which may take a few weeks possibly months to write and prepare. Hopefully you learned something new today and have a good one!
- Ryan
Other Openings Blogs:
