The exchange usually leads to a mirror match (my opponent and I making the same exact moves) which can get very frustrating, I was thinking maybe 2. e5, has that ever been tested?
Breaking the rule of moving the same pawn twice in an opening though 🙁
Originally posted by LordofADown The exchange usually leads to a mirror match (my opponent and I making the same exact moves) which can get very frustrating, I was thinking maybe 2. e5, has that ever been tested?
It would probably transpose to the advanced, i.e.
1.e4 e6 2.e5 d5 - although white can take here if he wants, I don't think he really benefits from it because it's essentially trading your e pawn for his c pawn.
And that would mean not only breaking the rule of moving a pawn twice, but three times. 😕
Originally posted by LordofADown I'm sorry, but what is IQP?
I knew you were going to ask that, I was just too lazy to rewrite it in the hopes that you might actually know it.
IQP:Isolated Queen's Pawn. Meaning that you don't have a friendly e or c pawn next to it, making it isolated from the rest. Generally viewed as a weakness it has the potential to be strong as a "battering ram" (Which is something I can't recall making use of, but I generally don't get into IQP positions) or an unstoppable passer (meaning it will queen).
Originally posted by LordofADown The exchange usually leads to a mirror match (my opponent and I making the same exact moves) which can get very frustrating, I was thinking maybe 2. e5, has that ever been tested?
Breaking the rule of moving the same pawn twice in an opening though 🙁
Sorry, I had some html markup indicating that I didn't like the exchange either, but RHP doesn't seem to allow that (shrugs).
Anyway, the Tarrasch is a good choice (and is the response I struggle with most as a french player) , but it does depend slightly on what your opponent plays.The modern line with e6, d5, and c5 does tend to reduce to IQP positions, however simply answering 3. Nd2 with Nf6 can often lead to classical-ish positions (white can still play exd5 but it's not quite as useful here as in the modern lines).
Originally posted by LordofADown What is the best way to respond to the french defense for those of us who prefer open games?
There is no best reply to the french defense - all are bad.
But, if you still want to blunder with 1. e4, you could try playing the 3. Nd2 which could be a good way for a newcomer to try and equalize with white =)