Based on the recommendations of zebano and others and a reading of John Watson, I've been using this as my main anti-French system as White (along with the Advance when I'm feeling drawish, old habits die hard) but what Watson is not good at is explaining the fundamental principles of variations or covering some newer things. What I'd like to know is this:
1. Given that the isolani that result for White on the d-pawn is inevitable, is White's role simply to try force and exchange and play for half-open central files (which seems pointless), or to avoid exchanging minor pieces and use the central pawn dynamically, or try to navigate it to the e-file?
2. What should be the optimum position of a Tarrasch player?
3. In Black's variation 3...a6, what should White's response be? Consolidation of the centre or development?
I have no Tarrasch games in progress at the moment in the opening stages, but this position has occurred twice when I've played Rsand2, who uses 3...a6 effectively - I was a little bemused when it appeared because in its own way 3...a6 is as quietly counter-intuitive and effective as 2.Nd2.
Game 2404960
Game 2131670
I'm particularly concerned about this because it occurs in retrospect that the exchange on move 9 of the second game was a blunder and a clear violation of middlegame principles by White.
Can't you play 5. exd? when you are giving black the isolani? or Qxd5, Bc4 with tempo?
Edit: I don't know anything about the a6 line, but I thought the point of the Tarrasch was to lead to wide open dynamic play.
Edit2: In any discussion of the french...
Clan 24492
Originally posted by AmauroteI took a crack at your question a few days ago and got nowhere. Although I might try 3...a6 myself sometime.
Bump (sorry, but I really have to know)
For some reason I don't see an IQP often in any lines of the French. As white, I've been playing the exchange variation lately, as I'm finding it more dynamic and less drawish than its reputation. Most of the time, however, I prefer to play 1.d4 as white.
As black, I've tried a few systems against the Tarrasch, and usually get a satisfactory game. I'm playing around with Watson's 3...c5 in a few in progress games right now (none here though).
Originally posted by WulebgrHere is my latest 3.... c5 games.
I took a crack at your question a few days ago and got nowhere. Although I might try 3...a6 myself sometime.
For some reason I don't see an IQP often in any lines of the French. As white, I've been playing the exchange variation lately, as I'm finding it more dynamic and less drawish than its reputation. Most of the time, however, I prefer to play 1.d4 as ...[text shortened]... aying around with Watson's 3...c5 in a few in progress games right now (none here though).
Game 2516294
I came out of the opening ok. After Ng6 I thought I was ever so slightly worse due to the pressure on the c-pawn and became complacent ...