How to play against the French?

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fieldsofforce

Optimissed, noted.  With you around I will have to read carefully.

fieldsofforce
schachfan1 wrote:

I read several times in wise chess books (to be more exact - in commented games) - if you want to play well against some opening or some specific variation - it might be very helpful if you play that variation both as Black and as White. The same was with me about the Rubinstein variation - although it is not quite to my taste to play it as Black, all the same I practice it as Black from time to time, beginning from 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ gf!?, 4.Nxe4 Bd7-c6, and more common 4.Nxe4 Nd7, all the time wondering - why it is so difficult for White to get advantage against the Rubinstein, at the same time seeing (when playing it as Black) that Black does not have too much of winning chances either, but Black's position, although somewhat passive, is a kind of "fireproof"

What you post is correct.  However, please note that after 3...dxe4 4.Nxe4 White has a N on e4 and a pawn on d4 that are both potential targets for Black.  Whereas Black has no pawns or pieces on the central squares (d4, d5, e4, e5).  Rubinstein understood the Hypermodern theory of chess.  Control the center with the power of your pawns and pieces.  This way you do not create targets for your opponent in the center.

The analysis post on the Rubenstein, and other 3rd moves by White I will post a little later.

Sarozen
RailTiesBallast777 wrote:

Blast the French defense!  Blast it! 

I really need to know how to handle the white pawn structure and piece plans.  How do I play this position?  What are the typical white ideas? 

Help!!! I lose almost every time I play this as white. 

 

Haha I'm in the same boat. I've been searching for lines myself.

Here's what i'm exploring:


The idea is that if black ever wants to start freeing himself with f6 he is going to have to untangle himself because of the weakness on e6. 

I think the proper way to play it as black is to actually give the e6 pawn up for activity...

I use to play the french and this line with g3 and Bh3 gave me a lot of trouble.

Trainer_Justice
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Trainer_Justice
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fieldsofforce

IM John Watson is a leading authority on the French Defense.  At 35:51 of the clickable video below he covers briefly the Rubinstein Fort Knox variation.  He also covers at the beginning of the video some of the Exchange variation. 

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=french+defense+rubinstein+fort+knox+videos&qpvt=french+defense+rubinstein+fort+knox+videos&view=detail&mid=5639C7EC2B375A7C9C7D5639C7EC2B375A7C9C7D&FORM=VRDGAR

When I was active in the tournament circuit I had a 6 opening repertoire.  Also had a couple of backup openings 1 as White and 1 as Black.

My repertoire openings as White were KIA, English, and after  1.Nf3 (all transpositions 20 moves deep)

My opening repertoire as Black were Sicilian Najdorf, Caro kann, French Defense against 1.e4.  King's Indian, Benoni, and Caro-Kann against 1.d4

Both the Caro-Kann and French Defense I used as drawing weapons in tournament play.

Blockmanone

Hi

kingsrook11
Sarogar wrote:
RailTiesBallast777 wrote:

Blast the French defense!  Blast it! 

I really need to know how to handle the white pawn structure and piece plans.  How do I play this position?  What are the typical white ideas? 

Help!!! I lose almost every time I play this as white. 

 

Haha I'm in the same boat. I've been searching for lines myself.

Here's what i'm exploring:


The idea is that if black ever wants to start freeing himself with f6 he is going to have to untangle himself because of the weakness on e6. 

I think the proper way to play it as black is to actually give the e6 pawn up for activity...

I use to play the french and this line with g3 and Bh3 gave me a lot of trouble.

I also play the f4 Tarrasch. I prefer 8a3 though. The idea being b4 and further restricting Blacks space. I find that  a number of French defence players do not know how to play it. If they are too passive then I just throw my Kingside pawns at them. I also find that f6 is not so freeing for Black as in other variations of the French because White is not compelled to take on f6 and hence can not put a Knight on f6.