hello. I wondered what people's views were on the French defence for black are?
Is it too passive? Does black have any hope of making use of the bad bishop?
I am new to the opening, so if anybody has any lines or key ideas/moves they would like to recommend, I would appreciate it.
Thanks
Skims 😀
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Originally posted by skimsone way is to exchange it on a6 (sorry about the h6 -typo).
Is it too passive? Does black have any hope of making use of the bad bishop?
beware of the knight sac Bxh7.
oh yeah, here's a pretty good primer on the french:
http://www.chessville.com/instruction/Openings/French_Defense/instr_open_french_intro_1.htm
Originally posted by UmbrageOfSnowI play Nc6 in nearly every game with the French (after c5, of course).
Pick up a copy of John Watson's Play the French. It is an excellent book on the opening, far better than any other book on an opening that I have looked at.
One big mistake a lot of beginers make is moving Nc6. DON'T DO THIS. Playing c5 is vital in the French.
Originally posted by ElleEffSeeeYes! Join the clan (after subscribing first). We're looking for members of your strength. You will learn a lot about the french.
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As everyone has been saying, the French is definitely worth persuing. It's very dymanic, and is anything but boring and drawish. Weyerstrass' games are really good examples of how to play the french, so check them out if you're interested.
I play the French a lot and have great results with it. Against weaker players I often win a pawn in the opening (there are a surprising number of tactics) and against stronger players I keep it tighter and hope to get them in a counter attack when they initiate something. It's very rarely boring!
One thing I would advise is to try and understand when the f7-f6 pawn break is necessary. It's an ugly move but essential in some positions if you are to keep Black's chances alive.
In addition to being a fascinating defense that you can play for life, the French is also a very diverse opening. Just a quick comparison with the Caro Kann illustrates this. In the Caro after 3.Nc3 or 3.Nd2, you really only have the move dxe. In the French, these moves open up a world of fascinating lines - Winawer, Burn, Classical, Tarrasch, McCutcheon, etc. You can constantly explore and switch lines if one doesn't satisfy you. The French is also a defense that many 1.e4 players hate, which has a good psychological effect. The only negative of the French is that the exchange can be boring, but reaching equality on move three isn't so bad, I guess.
Best,
Scott