For white, I actually play the exchange variation, just because I want to avoid a lot of the French structures that usually occur in other variations. The pawn structure is symmetrical, so the game is mostly about piece placement and not wasting tempo. Later, I have the option to play c4 and get an isolated queen pawn position if I want. But the best variation is the one you understand the game plans to, and which you feel most comfortable playing.
Book Recommendations on French Defense for White?
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There’s the McDonald and Harley book “Master the French with the Read and Play Method.” I only really looked at the diagrams that showed pawn structures and plans, but that was so much more useful to me than purely memorizing lines.
For white, I actually play the exchange variation, just because I want to avoid a lot of the French structures that usually occur in other variations. The pawn structure is symmetrical, so the game is mostly about piece placement and not wasting tempo. Later, I have the option to play c4 and get an isolated queen pawn position if I want. But the best variation is the one you understand the game plans to, and which you feel most comfortable playing.
For white, I actually play the exchange variation, just because I want to avoid a lot of the French structures that usually occur in other variations. The pawn structure is symmetrical, so the game is mostly about piece placement and not wasting tempo. Later, I have the option to play c4 and get an isolated queen pawn position if I want. But the best variation is the one you understand the game plans to, and which you feel most comfortable playing.
Feb 21, 2022
0
#3
As a player that plays both sides of the French Defense, and has played the French for 25 years and probably between 500 and 1000 times just as Black alone over the board, I can safely say the Exchange is garbage. Since 2014, which I have played roughly 40 games over the board on the black side of the Exchange French, I have literally 1 loss in a very fast time control. The rest is a roughly equal split of wins and draws. Over 70% score with BLACK!
I would advise against the Tarrasch. Black gets full equality immediately with 3...c5! In return for the isolated pawn, Black gets major piece activity, the initiative, and sometimes even a raging attack, while White's queenside pieces take for ever and a day to get developed just to avoid doubled pawns.
I would suggest either 3.e5 or 3.Nc3. There is a book by Sveshnikov and his son (blue cover, published by New In Chess) on the advance if you want something a little less riddled in theory. It is all about understanding blocked structures, pawn chains, and attacking on the wings instead of the center. If you want the greatest theoretical advantage, then 3.Nc3 is the answer. The recent book on beating the French with 3.Nc3 would be great for the Steinitz, but I suggest looking elsewhere for the Winawer. I can tell you that the main line with 7.h4 (NOT 7.Qg4) is the hardest to face, and is what I play as White against the French when not playing 3.e5 (I play both).
Another thing worth doing is subscribing to section 2 of chesspublishing.com. I do not suggest that site as the primary source of first learning an opening, but I think it is an excellent supplementary source of information. I would actually suggest using that site more for your Black game as it is separated by opening, and you need to know the opening as a whole as Black whereas white you need to know bits and pieces of various sections - not very economical. When I do subscribe to chesspublishing.com, for example, I always subscribe to sections 2 (French), 8 (d4-Specials - London, Torre, Tromp, Veresov, Colle, Jobava, etc), and 9 (King's Indian).
busterlark wrote:
There’s the McDonald and Harley book “Master the French with the Read and Play Method.” I only really looked at the diagrams that showed pawn structures and plans, but that was so much more useful to me than purely memorizing lines.
For white, I actually play the exchange variation, just because I want to avoid a lot of the French structures that usually occur in other variations. The pawn structure is symmetrical, so the game is mostly about piece placement and not wasting tempo. Later, I have the option to play c4 and get an isolated queen pawn position if I want. But the best variation is the one you understand the game plans to, and which you feel most comfortable playing.
For white, I actually play the exchange variation, just because I want to avoid a lot of the French structures that usually occur in other variations. The pawn structure is symmetrical, so the game is mostly about piece placement and not wasting tempo. Later, I have the option to play c4 and get an isolated queen pawn position if I want. But the best variation is the one you understand the game plans to, and which you feel most comfortable playing.
Memorizing lines I'm fine with, but a lot of these books just go flying from 0 to 100 (EVERY single variation and sideline to a crazy depth) and I just can't keep up.
I have tried Exchange French. It was recommended in a book on the account of its simplicity. But I just ended up losing more games than I won as white.
I will look Mcdonald book up! Thanks for the tip!
@ThrillerFan
Well yeah, Exchange is... I'm gonna be diplomatic here and just say it's not good. I personally had very bad results with it. Now, I have forgotten my old E5 lines from years ago (Lost a computer, databases went with him. And yes, it was a him), hence the post.
Tarrasch is way too flexible and complex for me, so I'll take your word on that front.
I'll definitely look up the books you recommended. Thank you!
I also really appreciate the tip on chesspublishing.com, looks really helpful and it's not something that I would stumble on myself.
Feb 23, 2022
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#6
ThrillerFan wrote:
As a player that plays both sides of the French Defense, and has played the French for 25 years and probably between 500 and 1000 times just as Black alone over the board, I can safely say the Exchange is garbage. Since 2014, which I have played roughly 40 games over the board on the black side of the Exchange French, I have literally 1 loss in a very fast time control.
How do you do it? I mean, Exchange looks pretty symmetrical -- unless black switches things up and castles queenside (which seems like a cool idea to me)
Hi.
I want to know more about main ideas for white in the French Defense. I'm not looking for anything super bulky and comprehensive, just enough for me to get my pieces developed and have a few attacking ideas in ONE variation(Either the Main line, Advance or Tarrasch. btw which one would you recommend?).
I'd appreciate the help.