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What's the best book on the French Defense for White?

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Samurai-X
Samurai-X
Feb 8, 2020
0
#21

OK, the main lines are not that as boring as Exchange Monte Carlo. The issue is that there is SO much theory to learn just to know how to respond to, something like, 1 out of the 10 games as White. The classical (I guess it's called Steinitz) alone is super-theoretical (or maybe I feel that way because I just started looking at it), but then you have the Winawer which is even more theoretical. Without studying to play it as Black (maybe as an alternative weapon), it may not be worth the investment of time. I think I'll have to study to play as Black as well.

ronpaulsrustedball
ronpaulsrustedball
Feb 9, 2020
0
#22
ThrillerFan wrote:
Uhohspaghettio1 wrote:

I told you guys, do not listen to ThrillerFan, he is a troll. 

He's not the sort of troll that goes around talking about his universal system that wins every time, in some ways he's even worse because sometimes he sounds like he knows what he's talking about.  

 

No, the real troll is this shmo named Uhohspaghettio1.  Go back to Ireland and do the only thing the Irish are good at.  GETTING DRUNK!

All Irish men (& woman) are drunks? How racist is that?

ThrillerFan
ThrillerFan
Show your flair!
Feb 9, 2020
0
#23
Samurai-X wrote:

OK, the main lines are not that as boring as Exchange Monte Carlo. The issue is that there is SO much theory to learn just to know how to respond to, something like, 1 out of the 10 games as White. The classical (I guess it's called Steinitz) alone is super-theoretical (or maybe I feel that way because I just started looking at it), but then you have the Winawer which is even more theoretical. Without studying to play it as Black (maybe as an alternative weapon), it may not be worth the investment of time. I think I'll have to study to play as Black as well.

 

The classical and the Steinitz are not the same thing.

Classical - 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7

Steinitz - 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5

TrainerMeow
TrainerMeow
Feb 10, 2020
0
#24
Samurai-X wrote:

Without studying to play it as Black (maybe as an alternative weapon), it may not be worth the investment of time. I think I'll have to study to play as Black as well.

It should be noted that while there's a lot stuff in a complicated opening like the French, you don't have to study all of them to get a comfortable (or playable, at least) position.

Say you have an epic 400-page book covering both sides of the French. As black you probably want to study 300+ pages (whether you prefer the Winawer to the Classical/Steinitz or vise versa) to get a better understanding of the opening. As white, on the other hand, all you need are 10-20 pages (maybe a sideline that leads to interesting positions) to play comfortably against the French every time.

I'm not saying efforts won't be paid off. They certainly will. The point is, "maximum effort" is not a must when you just want to enjoy some chess.