Can white play 2.e5 vs the french
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It can be played but it is not better than 2.d4 or 2.Nf3 for sure.
a third option is 2...d6. 2.e5 is not recommended overall since it gives B extra options without adding anything juicy for W should B play 2..d5.
Jul 1, 2011
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#4
I checked my database, and out of the "much played" openings after e5 it favours c5.
2...d6 scores well for black in my database
I prefer 2...d6 myself against this line. There are 2 Ukranian players here in Portugal that have played 2 e5 against me as white. One is 2100 fide and the other is a FM. I am doing well in this line and they have stopped playing it against me. If black plays 2...d5 and white captures ep then its the same line as 2...d6 but white doesnt have to capture and doesnt have to go into the advance variation either but can opt for 3 Nf3 and after 3...c5 4 b4 !? is a dangerous gambit that can be tried.
I learned that black can just switch to a sicilian with c5 and the e5 pawn is misplaced. Is this true?