Over and over we see threads recommending some line against the French that offers black full equality at move 3 or 4. Yet, at the top levels, 1...e6 scores far worse than 1...c5 or 1...e5. Why are 1.e4 players so afraid to play an active game against the French, attempting to take full advantage of the space advatage that black has conceded with his almost paranoid defense of f7?
Originally posted by WulebgrBecause French isnt played so often (as for example Sicilian), so people who plays French knows main lines much better than their opponents. And even you will get some opening advantage (due to your books or databases), your opponent are more skilled in such kind of positions, so your chances of winning equal or stronger opponent (which knows French very well) are very dubious. Also main idea of French is defence or counter-attack - ppl who plays French, likes it. So if white doesnt attacking black will feel some psychologic discomfort.
Over and over we see threads recommending some line against the French that offers black full equality at move 3 or 4. Yet, at the top levels, 1...e6 scores far worse than 1...c5 or 1...e5. Why are 1.e4 players so afraid to play an active game against the French, attempting to take full advantage of the space advatage that black has conceded with his almost paranoid defense of f7?
Originally posted by KorchBut, the French is played by people that don't have time to study books and databases. It is not theory laden, like the Sicilian and Spanish (where one must know lines 20 moves deep). It is simple and straightforward. Yet, white players fear it. It's as if black is saying, "I'm okay with a draw." And white, in fear, offer equality. I think that's why they lose. Attack it and white is okay. Concede equality on move three, and black has already won the psychological game.
Because French isnt played so often (as for example Sicilian), so people who plays French knows main lines much better than their opponents. And even you will get some opening advantage (due to your books or databases), your opponent are more skilled in such kind of positions, so your chances of winning equal or stronger opponent (which knows French very well) ...[text shortened]... ays French, likes it. So if white doesnt attacking black will feel some psychologic discomfort.
Originally posted by WulebgrWhen I play the french I'm saying.
But, the French is played by people that don't have time to study books and databases. It is not theory laden, like the Sicilian and Spanish (where one must know lines 20 moves deep). It is simple and straightforward. Yet, white players fear it. It's as if black is saying, "I'm okay with a draw." And white, in fear, offer equality. I think that's why they lo ...[text shortened]... is okay. Concede equality on move three, and black has already won the psychological game.
"Take control of the centre...then watch me rip it apart.🙂"
If white wants a draw he can play 3. exd5 then if he's above my rating I'll hunker down for a draw, if he's around my rating or below, I'll outplay him.😀
Originally posted by WulebgrI didnt know, that I have no time to study books or databases 😀 . And I can say when I`m playing French, I`m hoping that white will attack and I`ll have a chance to counter attack.
But, the French is played by people that don't have time to study books and databases. It is not theory laden, like the Sicilian and Spanish (where one must know lines 20 moves deep). It is simple and straightforward. Yet, white players fear it. It's as if black is saying, "I'm okay with a draw." And white, in fear, offer equality. I think that's why they lo ...[text shortened]... is okay. Concede equality on move three, and black has already won the psychological game.
Originally posted by JusuhI am not saying it to be silly - from personal experience I was always rather well off against that defense. And, there are also top-GM's who are very skeptical about its merits too (e.g. Korchnoj).
against 1.d4 any defence is good enough.
EDIT: Sorry for going off-topic..
Ok, since this seems to be a french defence post I thought I'd pose a question. If 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5 and here Bd6 is very standard allowing exc5 with tempo, but what about ..c4 Personally I don't think it's generally a very good idea for black to move more pawns in the opening but at the same time it's probably ok to play like that too. After 7.0-0 Qb6 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.b3 cxb3 10.axb3 black has a weak a-pawn instead but 8..Qxc6 solves this I think e.g now 9.b3 cxb3 10.axb3 Be6 (not ..Nf6 because of Ba3) 11.c4 probably and it seems that white has all the play. Maybe I have figured out the solution when I have been typing this but could someone confirm that this is worse for black then an isolated queenspawn. My concern with 6..Bd6 7.cxd6 Bxd6 8.0-0 Ne7 is that this doesn't look very active for black either as the knight would rather be on f6 to jump into g4 after say the bishop goes back to d6, that's the sort of play I thought you were looking for when playing in an isolated d-pawn position. Ne7 is best but it looks passive to me.