Playing for a win vs 3.Nc3 in French

That's a great question, but please note: The French is not the best choice when playing for a win against a lower rated player, because of the Exchange Variation.

Also 'well prepared for all variations but the mainline 3.Nc3' is a self-contradiction. If you haven't worked on the main line, you're not well prepared. Re 'I left the mainline for last because I expect the exchange and advance more than anything else', don't forget about 3.Nd2.

As for the choice between 3.Nc3 Nf6 or 3...Bb4, I've played White and Black in both lines. I would say 3...Nf6 is more positional and 3...Bb4 is more tactical. Choose (1) according to your own style and (2) whether you want to play into your strengths or work on eliminating your weaknesses. - Mark

I'm solidly for the MacCutcheon. There are fewer pieces on the board as opposed to the Winawer, White doesn't keep the two bishops, and in the mainline, the White king is on d2, making Black's play on the c-file more dangerous for White. The only worry (kind of) is that your opponent will play e5 after Nf6, disallowing the MacCutcheon and going into a Steinitz, but it's also suitable for playing for a win.

bemweeks> The French is not the best choice when playing for a win against a lower rated player, because of the Exchange Variation.

The French is not the Modern, but I believe (even in the exchange) it's a better option than the Scandy when one wants sound winning chances.

bemweeks> don't forget about 3.Nd2.

Thanks, I studied that yesterday, and 'only' had 3.Nc3 to cover today.

bemweeks> you're not well prepared.

Of course I'm not well-prepared, but I've really done the best I could in a week. Am I making the wrong choice trying a new repertoire in a rated tournament after only one week of study? I don't know. On the one hand I want to win. On the other hand, cutting my teeth in tournament games is the way to improve.

Playing it against lower-rated opponents was my compromise decision, with the side-effect that it made it slightly easier to prepare lines.

If he plays 3.Nc3 then Bb4 is probably your best to try for a win, but having so little time to study i would deviate early with the retreat variation (3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Ba5!?)

Here is a game Anand lost against this variation, hope it helps and good luck!

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1170253

Well i am only 1300-1500 so if its a low rater like me you will be playing go with the winawer poisen pawn mathjis played 3 times against me as black three wins for him.

I would go with an aggressive approach to the winawer and if 5 a3 is missed (for say Nf3 then Qa5 will be strong!

I figured I owed the thread a game. Unfortunately, the only games where I was Black and my opponent played e4, my opponent was 1940.

I figured, screw it, I'm going to play my French preparation... on a related note, does anyone a good source for info on the Botvinnik Setup? Otherwise I'll order Tony Kosten's "The Dynamic English" tomorrow for chapter one, which focuses on it.