I think it does not make much sense if you want to play the French Exchange like a "classical" French (Advance Variation, ...) - it's a totally different thing and has more in common with standard 1. e4 e5 open games than with a classical French.
Since the game is so open, there's not one such thing like a "mainline" in the Exchange French. There are a lot of playable moves in every position. The most important thing is to watch out for tactics (on both side), they will decide the game, if they don't occur (or remain unnoticed), it will probably be a draw (since if the pieces are simply traded off, there will be a drawn endgame).
White can play c4 to stake a claim in the center. Black can defend the center or capture on c4, giving White an isolated d pawn. If White doesn't play c4, Black can play c5 himself and do the opposite thing. The bishops can go to the flanks, pinning the knights (g4 / b4 from the Black point of view) or to support the center (f5 / c5 / e6 / d6) ... bishops can be exchanged for the knights, giving the opponent doubled pawns vs. the bishop pair, or retreated when harrassed ... castling kingside or queenside is possible, with opposite castles creating a sharp game as usual ... you can't really say "this is the right way to play the French Exchange".
About this "French is good for d4 players" thing - I actually think that a French player should play the orthodox QGD reasonably well because the pawn structure is very similar and also the typical disadvantages like the bad c8 bishop and the possibly cramped position in the beginning.
Recently my chess passion was slowing down (actually I was going for shogi: Japanese chess
),
but again it has started firing up because I had a severe defeat with French Exchange as Black yesterday.
The reason that I lost is just I made many! mistakes with blurred thinking.
But now I'm thinking a more serious problem is behind it.
Playing French Exchange as Black yesterday,
I couldn't find the right plan.
I believe French Defence is a good thing for a d4 player,
because its pawn structure is rather similar with d4-as-White position.
As you see, their pawn structures are similar (please ignore "white to move"),
thus I can fight with the almost same plan:
1. pawn break with c4 (c5 as Black) (e-file is closed thus survive on c-file)
2. bring Q-side rook on c-file
3. play mainly on Q-side and penetrate enemy's position!
I like 1.d4, so I play French Defence as Black agaisnt 1.e4.
However, agaisnt French Exchange, I feel I have to change the plan.
E-file is a open file.
So the natural plan seems to be:
1. Rooks should come to e-file
2. c-pawn break is not needed, thus play Nc6 and cover e5 square immediately.
(In French Advance I have to play c5 before Nc6 bacause the Knight blocks the c-pawn)
3. play mainly on K-side!
This is very 1.e4 game like Ruy Lopez which I don't get used to.
I can't use my d4 style here?
Then, put simply, my question is
Can't I have a natural(correct) plan and setup
which try to fight on Queen side in French Exchange?
Thank you for reading this!