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Am I the only one who loves the French?

Standard memberUSArmyParatrooper
Only Chess 25 Jun '11 22:13
  1. DTG
    Standard memberDarax The Good
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    26 Jun '11 16:39
    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.
  2. E
    Standard memberEladar
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    26 Jun '11 20:02
    I don't like the French much, I tend to get cramped when I play it.
  3. Subscribergreenpawn34
    e4
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    26 Jun '11 21:361 edit
    There is a Brazilian player called George Washington.

    Here is one of his games.

    George is White: Crossing the Delaware

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  4. E
    Standard memberElmyr
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    27 Jun '11 03:10
    Originally posted by cabandmush
    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!
    I feel the same way about the Winnawer! I never have any idea who has the
    advantage, and any plan I manage to conjure up seems to fall to pieces immediately.
    People go on and on about how the Sicilian is the sharpest of all openings, but I feel
    more lost against the Winnawer. Often times I don't even know the right place to
    put/leave my king. I like playing against it though, anything that puts me out of
    my comfort zone has got to be a good thing.

    Haven't played the French much as black, sticking with the open games for now...
  5. t
    Standard membertorten
    bedlam
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    27 Jun '11 08:01
    I thought the whole idea of the winawer is that nobody knows exactly what's going on.
    It's why books use 'chances for both sides' 'unclear' 'dynamic equality'.

    Don't despair,just play chess 🙂
  6. rc
    Standard memberrobbie carrobie
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    27 Jun '11 08:29
    Fischer states of it that its anti positional (i suppose this is the giving up of the dark squared bishop for the c3 knight, blacks , 'good bishop'.
  7. rc
    Standard memberrobbie carrobie
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    27 Jun '11 08:463 edits
    Originally posted by moon1969
    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 also like this idea, after 3.Nc3 black gets a good game with the Winnawer, this line
    can be a little more 'tricky', if black doesn't know what he's about, although, saying
    that, with the best moves, black can give up the exchange for control of the centre,
    reaching this position.

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  8. Standard membermoon1969
    Houston, Texas
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    27 Jun '11 09:221 edit
    Originally posted by robbie carrobie
    I also like this idea, after 3.Nc3 black gets a good game with the Winnawer, this line
    can be a little more 'tricky', if black doesn't know what he's about, although, saying
    that, with the best moves, black can give up the exchange for control of the centre,
    reaching this position.

    [pgn] [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] suggests 0-0. The rhp game continued 0-0. I dont know who i prefer.}[/pgn]
    Nice comments. I agree. 3.Nd2 avoids the Winnawer and the pin, and black is less likely familiar with 3.Nd2. In regard to the game you posted, I generally do 9.exf6.

    I haven't necessarily given up on 3.Nc3 but still going with 3.Nd2 for now.
  9. rc
    Standard memberrobbie carrobie
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    27 Jun '11 10:21
    Originally posted by moon1969
    Nice comments. I agree. 3.Nd2 avoids the Winnawer and the pin, and black is less likely familiar with 3.Nd2. In regard to the game you posted, I generally do 9.exf6.

    I haven't necessarily given up on 3.Nc3 but still going with 3.Nd2 for now.
    mmm, although i am a simple peasant farmer, does not 9.exf6 help black to develop? do you like the ultra aggressive Nf4?
  10. Subscribergreenpawn34
    e4
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    27 Jun '11 11:231 edit
    I have 21 games with this line on RHP.
    White wins = 9 Draws = 4 Black wins = 8

    As is often the case on here the the opening stats hide
    the fact that a fair number of the games are decided by
    a tactical blunder in levelish positions.

    Gatecrasher - Quirine RHP 2006
    Tactical blunder by White leading to on the spot resignation.

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    Intermezzo - daromott RHP 2008
    Tactical blunder by Black leading to on the spot resignation.

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    Sicilian Smaug - Quirine RHP 2009
    This entertaining game features a common theme in this variation.
    The exchange v the Black central pawn mass.

    Here the Rooks get active and rule though it comes down to a pawn race.
    White has all the chances due to the exposed Black King.
    Black places the King and Queen on the same rank, White spotted the shot.

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  11. rc
    Standard memberrobbie carrobie
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    27 Jun '11 11:42
    Originally posted by greenpawn34
    I have 21 games with this line on RHP.
    White wins = 9 Draws = 4 Black wins = 8

    As is often the case on here the the opening stats hide
    the fact that a fair number of the games are decided by
    a tactical blunder in levelish positions.

    [b]Gatecrasher - Quirine     RHP 2006
    Tactical blunder by White leading to on the spot resignation.

    [pgn]
    ...[text shortened]... xf4 {Alert play. Also 42.Rxd4+ with the same skewer works.} 42..exf4 43.Rxd4+ Kb5 44.Rb8+ [/pgn][/b]
    yes its very interesting GP, i had seen the Quirine games, but these were the only ones i could find. What can we say? if its difficult for black to play then, its difficult for white also, Will whites rooks prevail or will blacks centre. Zeigler states that it was Bronstein who sad that he 'sacks the exchange for control of the centre', cant be bad!
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