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.

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

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]

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
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.

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

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?

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