I have little experience playing against the french defence and was horridly exposed in this game.
Game 967839
Has anyone got any advice on the best strategy against the initial opening moves, and later on, if and how it was feasible to take advantage of the one then two passed pawns.
Grateful for all help. Cheers, Dave
Since your opponent used an irregular move order you could have taken advantage of it with 3. e5! Your opponent would be forced to play an inferior Alekhine's Defence game or return his knight to g8.
Against a real French defence I suggest the Milner-Barry gambit. If you are interested in its attacking chances I suggest you take a look at my post "The Milner-Barry in Action!"
1.e4 e6 2.d4 Nf6
After 2... d5 we are in a french defence. This is a sort of Alekhine
3.Nc3
Stronger is 3. e5!
3... Bb4
Last chance for a classical french with 3...d5
4.e5 Ne4?
Better 4... Nd5 5.Qg4 with advantage for white
5. Qg4! Nxc3 6.Qxg7 Rf8 7.Bd2??
Losing a piece. White missed the simple 7.a3, with a winning advantage
7... Nd5 8.c3 Be7 9.Qxh7?!
Too greedy. Black is a piece up but his position is cramped and his development isn't easy. Better piece development with 9.Nf3 or 9.Bd3
9... Bg5 10. Bxg5?!
Time consuming. Better was 10. Nf3 or 10.0-0-0
10... Qxg5 11. h4?!
Why not a developing move like 11. Nh3?
11... Qg8?
Better was 11... Qg6 because after 12.Qxg6 fxg6 white hasn't counterplay with his h pawn
12.Qxg8 Rxg8 13.h5 f6
Despite his material advantage black must be careful because white has counterplay. Better was probably 13... d6 14.h6 fxe5 15.h7
No hurry to push this pawn, 15.dxe5 was simpler
15... Rh8 16.dxe5 d6 17.g4
Too many pawn moves. White played the game without his pieces Better was 17.Nf3 or 17. O-O-O
17... dxe5 18.Bd3 Nf4 19.Be4
c2 was a better square for the bishop
19... Nd7 20.g5 Nc5 21.g6?
The last mistake. 21. Bc2 was forced. The rest is easy to understand
😉