You could try the king's indian attack with e4 d3 Nd2 g3 Bg2 and an eventual kingside expansion starting with e5 with something different. Otherwise, you could try to play 2 c4 to get a different type of game.
If you want to tackle the French itself, Nc3 and Nd2 are both good alternatives to the advance.
I played against a strong French Defense player in the finals of a tournament and busted his French with 1. c4!?
Usually, I play 1. e4
I recently started trying to use the Kings Indian Attack against the French. It usually does ok. Before, I was using the advance variation. Here are a couple things to watch for if you play the advance variation.
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-showcase/reti-french-games
Avoids theory and makes for an interesting, tactical game, often with kings on opposite wings.
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-showcase/reti-french-games
Avoids theory and makes for an interesting, tactical game, often with kings on opposite wings.
Interesting....... And a wild one too.... Love it, gourgeous!:-D
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-showcase/reti-french-games
Avoids theory and makes for an interesting, tactical game, often with kings on opposite wings.
Interesting....... And a wild one too.... Love it, gourgeous!:-D
one does not simply... bust hundreds of years of opening theory
Then one playing the French should always thrive?! Not practical.....
If you're going to allow the French, then you need to have a line to play against it. The Advance french is a fine choice, but you have to know the critical positions and ideas. There's not a lot of good sidelines here, there's really only 3 main ideas:
6. a3 -- which is currently the most popular way of playing it at the highest levels.
6. Be2 -- the old main line
6. Bd3 -- where you better know the theory like the back of your hand 'cause it's game on :)
I see. Thanks