best variations to play against french defence

In OTB play I have had a GM play 2 Qe2 against my french and my wife has had it happen to her too , we both lost but ofcourse we both typically do lose to GMs regardless of the opening . 

2. Qe2 is not a bad move in that it does not lose. However against expert or master class French players it should give a disadvantage for practical play.

However, it certainly is not a "best move" or even a "good move".

I think there is general agreement that there isnt a better move against the french than 3 Nc3 .  

e4 e6 d4 d5 exd5 ex4 c4. that works for me

Reb, yes a grandmaster would probably beat an expert even using 2. Qe2.

[however sometimes an expert can beat a grandmaster as I know from  past experience]

I agree with you that 3. Nc3  [that there isn't a better move vs the Franch]

According to Watson's "Play the French" 4th edition (2012), 2. Qe2 was revived by Morozevich and others. Today it is as popular among strong players as 2. d3.

The "best move" is not the best move as God or Carlsen or Houdini would have it, but what will work over the board for a specific White player against a specific Black player at a specific time.

There's plenty of room in there for 2. Qe2 to be a best variation against the French.

I do not agree with the idea that 3.Nc3 is the best move.

I believe it is a playable move. I also believe different GrandMasters over the years have showed other moves playable as well.

3.e5

French, Advanced

3.Nd2

French,Tarrasch

3.exd5

French, Exchange

Who is to say that 3.Nc3 is the best move? I will also add that I am not singling any1 out on this thread in particular about this move. I have just read this whole forum and Realize over dozen if not more commenters believe this is the best move. I simply don't see how it is considered the best move.

If 3.Nc3 had a reputation of being unstoppable or unbeatable. The other line's mention above would not exist. Why would they need them for if 3.Nc3 is unstoppable.

Secondly, If 3.Nc3 was so unstoppable. French players would stop playing the French lol. They would change their opening entirely.

An if you wish to know why I'm saying all of this it is becuase I like playing the French sometimes.

Should I be afraid of 3.Nc3 I thought the French Winawer was a good response to it? Has the Winawer been busted or something? Just curious.

You are using logical fallacies.

Nobody said 3. Nc3 was unstoppable or unbeatable.

This is called "strawman"  You misrepresent what others are saying and then go from there.

The only thing in this thread that can be considered a logical fallacies or "strawman" is other peoples misrepresentation that 3.Nc3 is far better than any other playable move.

Here is the definition of the word "Best"

Qe2 is a bad move in that white has an opportunity to play for an advantage after 3. Nc3 or even 3. e5 and decides to let black equalize instead. It's not terrible, but the fact that it's not best means that it should not be played IMO.

Here you are doing another "strawman" which means misrepresenting what other people have said.  They DID NOT say or even indicate that 3.Nc3 is "unstoppable or unbeatable" [this was your main theme that others were saying this]

The "most effective move" does not mean a move or line which is "unstoppable or unbeatable." 

You are conveniently glossing over what you said about "unstoppable or unbeatable"  This phrase was the whole point of your previous post [of which you copied only PART of your original post.]

I do not know that 3.Nc3 is best objectively, but using Hans Berliner's formula for determining which move is best, 3.Nc3 fits the bill. It develops a piece towards the center, hits more central squares than any other move, and does not impede the development of other pieces. So, if there is a candidate for single "best" move after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5, then it is 3.Nc3. It has also been recommended by theory hounds such as Alexander Khalifman as the best. 

3.Nc3 is also the most complex of all of White's possible third moves, giving Black several different ways to respond. So, practically, even if it is White's best from a theoretical perspective, a strong player may choose any of several other moves and still strive for an advantage. 

Again, I don't know beyond any doubt that 3.Nc3 is best, but it is the move that is most likely to be best objectively.

My original agruement still holds ground becuase I was putting the word "best" you used into exaggerated prespective.

by saying it isn't unstoppable or unbeatable.

An my original agruement still holds true becuase the phrase

"3.Nc3 is the best move"  is a mere opinion nothing more nothing less.

I have seen this sort of statement numerous times. Yes, stating that 3.Nc3 is best is an opinion. It is an informed opinion. And yes, some opinions are better than others. I have stated the reasons that 3.Nc3 is probably best. 

There are two French Defense lines which are very drawish.

The Tarrash  1. e4  e6  2. d4  d5  3. Nd2   40% of games drawn

The Exchange  1. e4  e6  2. d4  d5  3. exd5  42% of games drawn

The Exchange is the most drawish of all chess variations.

Well Smyslov it is a opinion and yes you did give some reasons why 3.Nc3 is a playable move.

However, others can also list reasons why other moves are good.

For example

3.e5 gives a space advantage

3.Nd2  also develops a piece and avoid's line where black may double whites pawn's.

3.exd5 can be used to side step some of the other lines theoritical complications.

They all have their respected postives and negatives  

They are all playable.

An what is best for some people are not best for other's.

I like the KIA. I think the KIA is the best. Its my opinon. An people's opinons very and each line has its positives and negatives.

Which was the only point I was trying to get across here. I think some people simply can't handle being disagree'ed with.

I simply don't like 3.Nc3 it will double my pawns who cares if I get the bishop pair in a semi-closed position. Its different prespectives.

You forgot to  mention that both 3 e5 and  3 exd5 also release the central tension and both moves make black's game easier to play .  I have always been taught , and believe , that as white you shouldnt relieve the tension without very good reason . 3 Nc3  and  3 Nd2 both maintain the central tension .  I believe there is no better move at move 3 for white than 3 Nc3 ... I think a close second is  3 Nd2 .  As white I have never liked the advanced or exchange variations because it does release the central tension and gives black too easy a game imo .  What do database stats say ? Has anyone checked ? 

The raw stats for games played between opponents rated +2500 is:

3.Nc3 is played about 54% of the time and scores 56.7% for white

3.Nd2 is played about 34% of the time and scores 56.5%

3.e5 is played about 8% of the time and scores 56.9%

3.exd5 is played about 4% of the time and scores 50.0%

From these stats I dont see how anyone can argue that there is a better choice than 3 Nc3 ... but it does seem to show that the top 3 are roughly equal with the exchange being bad for white if he wants to win . Your search clearly shows that 3 Nc3 is the most popular among strong players , with it being played more often than the other 3 combined .