Am I the only one who loves the French?

It's just so easy to play. Most of the "right" moves seem natural, especially when my opponents don't play by the book (which at my level is most of the time). Whenever they play the advance variation black gets many opportunities to annoy white.

I agree - it often seems to go like that, but better players can really take you on.
I tried using the French on every game in a mixed group12 way tournie with variable success.

I played a dozen or so 5/0 games with it on here, but became a bit bored with it because about 60% of my opponents opted to just exchange pawns on d5. That line doesn't seem too bad for black, but it does seem boring, to me at least.

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
It's just so easy to play. Most of the "right" moves seem natural, especially when my opponents don't play by the book (which at my level is most of the time). Whenever they play the advance variation black gets many opportunities to annoy white.

I love the french... as white! 😛

Originally posted by tomtom232
I love the french... as white! 😛

You talk the talk but.....

Check your games 🙂

Some say that 3.Nc3 is the ultimate refutation of the French, but as white I now like playing against the French with 3.Nd2.

I'm partial to it.

skeeter

French Fries, Danish Bacon, Scotch Eggs and English Mustard.

The Chess Players Breakfast.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
[b]French Fries, Danish Bacon, Scotch Eggs and English Mustard.

The Chess Players Breakfast.[/b]

I'm still mad there's no American defense, gambit, or anything.

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
I'm still mad there's no American defense, gambit, or anything.

Quick google result

American Gambit of the Dutch Defense 1.d4 f5 2.e4 fxe4 3.Nd2
Brooklyn Defense of the Alekhine's Defence 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ng8
Cambridge Springs Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Nf3 c6 6.e3 Qa5
Chicago Gambit (or Irish Gambit) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nxe5?
Chicago Defense to the Smith-Morra Gambit against the Sicilian Defence 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 e6 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 a6 7.0-0 b5 8.Bb3 Nc6 9.Qe2 Be7 10.Rd1 Ra7
Colorado Defense of the Nimzowitsch Defense 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 f5
Fort Knox Variation of the French Defence 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6
Kentucky Opening 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+? Kxf7 5.Nxe5+ Nxe5
Manhattan Gambit of the Dutch Defense 1.d4 f5 2.Qd3 Nf6 3.g4
Manhattan Variation of the QGD (also called the Westphalia Defense) 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Nf3 Bb4 or 5.e3 Bb4
Massachusetts Defense of the Caro-Kann Defence 1.e4 c6 2.d4 f5
Miami Variation of the Italian Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d4 Bxd4 5.Nxd4 Nxd4 6.Be3
San Francisco Gambit of the Sicilian Defence 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Na5 4.b4

I may have missed some
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chess_openings_named_after_places

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
I'm still mad there's no American defense, gambit, or anything.

Does anyone play Chinese chess? I learned to play when I lived in China for a few months years ago, but have forgotten how to play. I do have a Chinese chess set. Seems like I remember it being a more static game than European chess.

Originally posted by torten
Quick google result

American Gambit of the Dutch Defense 1.d4 f5 2.e4 fxe4 3.Nd2
Brooklyn Defense of the Alekhine's Defence 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ng8
Cambridge Springs Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Nbd7 5.Nf3 c6 6.e3 Qa5
Chicago Gambit (or Irish Gambit) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nxe5?
Chicago Defense to the Smith-Morra Gamb ...[text shortened]... may have missed some
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chess_openings_named_after_places

Wow. Looks like I stand corrected many times over!

Are any of those broad system in of themselves - like the French, Sicilian, KIA, etc? Or are they all specific variations of broader openings?

I hate playing white against the French Defence, because the Winawer just leads to such chaotic positions and I end up with no idea what is going on. I've got a couple of games going right now with the Winawer and in not one of them have I got the faintest clue whether I'm better or worse.

Any tips for playing White against the Winawer would be appreciated. Such as - what the hell is going on!

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
Wow. Looks like I stand corrected many times over!

Are any of those broad system in of themselves - like the French, Sicilian, KIA, etc? Or are they all specific variations of broader openings?

You clearly didn't read the list.So lazy,a true chessplayer 🙂

The Chicago gambit is the only one that stands on it's own.The idea seems similar to the Halloween gambit.Could be fun,I might try it sometime.

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
I'm still mad there's no American defense, gambit, or anything.

Chess was invented by George Washington, so all systems are eventually creditided to America.