Why would anyone play the French defense?

How is it not fun??

I've played both sides of the Winawer over the years and the term I'd use is "nerve wracking."

The French can be tons of fun, although it all depends on what you like in a chess game.

have you tried the kings indian defense? 

That's a 1.d4 defense.

That's a horse of a different color.

I would argue that fun is not the best adjective because alll of chess is fun.

Maybe because if Fischer could have such difficulty with the white side until his match against Larsen in 1971 it might be worth playing?

Chess is not a fun game. You sit in a chair and torture yourself over the fate of some crappy pawn for hours. That's some pretty twised fun.

...then why play??

A strange combination of masochism and boredom?

You forgot the Sado...

I thought of a new slogan for chess.

Chess, the other Russian roulette...

Some people think the Berlin Defense to the Spanish is boring, too.

Such people are worthy of being ignored. Little else.

Isn't it just a matter of preference ?

I thought Magnus and Vishy made it interesting...

...I think boring players make chess lines boring, not the moves themselves

I agree, ParadoxOfNone.

Some people aren't able to appreciate what they don't understand....

I have never in my life played the French Defense, which is the dullest of all openings.   - W  Steinitz     

That is a compelling quote....

I like the quote but have been playing the french myself for decades .  

After 16 moves in today's World Championship game--a Berlin--I tried to come up with something to say about the position for my blog (http://chessskill.blogspot.com/2014/11/carlsen-anand-game-11.html).

I failed to offer anything of substance.

I could resort to calling the Berlin boring because I do not comprehend what is going on. My approach to chess, however, takes another tack. The quest for understanding is life's excitement. This is as true in chess as in marriage and work.