French players respond please(for you Thrillerfan)

Sort:

FM mizant

Sep 4, 2023

#41

ChessIsLikeFire wrote:

mizant wrote:

lassus_dinnao wrote:

Whats the easiest way to play the french defence? I mean the least theoretical and fastest to learn. And what to pair with the french against d4 and other openings?

It depends what is your level of understanding chess. If you are a 1400 rated player (chessCom), I wouldn't even suggest you to play the French. However, if you'd give it a chance, I'd agree with those who said that the Rubinstein variation should be your first pick, since all other lines are pushing you into the positions significantly more difficult to find a good way without spending quite some time studying.

However, if you'd want to stay away from the Rubinstein, but still play the French on that level, I'd suggest you Guimard variation against 3. Nd2, while against 3. Nc3 you can continue with the classical 3... Nf6, but after 4. Bg5, my recommendation is to transpose into the Rubinstein and play 4... dxe4, better then getting into the Alekhine-Chatard Attack.

Overall, studying the Exchange is not required that much, while Advanced French is still demanding. However, as a French defense player, I'd think twice before suggesting any player below 1600/1700 FIDE to play the French.

Good luck!

I'm 2000 rapid chesscom and 1200 USCF. Should I be playing the french? I play the caro, which is pretty solid.

If I were you, I'd keep playing the Caro. Typically I do not like to involve in other's people (my student's) opening choice, except when they clearly ask. But Caro is seriously simpler to play then the French, mainly cause of not dealing with the typical French defense problems: bad bishop, lacking space, weak kingside, etc. Therefore, it is suitable for players unable to understand how serious those positional issues are and how to deal with those problems.