Originally posted by Crushing DayLogically speaking, the Exchange Variation can't really pose too many problems for Frwnch players. However, not all French players may want to play an open game at such an early stage. It's also a legitimate tactic to play such variations against much stronger opposition in the hope they select objectively weaker lines to avoid drawish continuations.
How do you deal with this beast? It seems that White always has a move advantage on Black, no matter how well Black plays... or am I giving this variation way more credit than it deserves?
Is the reason for it's great popularity at club level because of Morphy's influence? I believe he played it quite a bit, if not mistaken.
Originally posted by Northern LadDoesn't an early white c4 as in my OTB game help avoid the drawish lines?
Logically speaking, the Exchange Variation can't really pose too many problems for Frwnch players. However, not all French players may want to play an open game at such an early stage. It's also a legitimate tactic to play such variations against much stronger opposition in the hope they select objectively weaker lines to avoid drawish continuations.
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Originally posted by cmsMasterOK.....? That doesn't look like a French exchange.
I've had excellent success with the Reti Gambit 1.e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2!? against the French.
One way to avoid drawish lines in the French exchange is to play the knight to e7 instead of f6. It works for me. 🙂 I've also played h6 to prevent Bg5, but that's probably not quite as good. I'm no expert on the French defense.
Originally posted by cmsMasterI've played something similar against the Caro Kann. It seems playable if nothing special. I've also had success with the original Tchigorin (1.e4 e6 2.Qe2 c5 3.b3!?), which is hardly played any more.
I've had excellent success with the Reti Gambit 1.e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2!? against the French.
Originally posted by exigentskyIt's not...but it's still a good way to play against the (lame) French Defense.
OK.....? That doesn't look like a French exchange.
One way to avoid drawish lines in the French exchange is to play the knight to e7 instead of f6. It works for me. 🙂 I've also played h6 to prevent Bg5, but that's probably not quite as good. I'm no expert on the French defense.
Originally posted by SquelchbelchIt certainly unbalances the pawn structure. Personally I'd rather play Black against the IQP.
Doesn't an early white c4 as in my OTB game help avoid the drawish lines?
Korchnoi has often played an early ... c5 as Black against the Exchange with a similar position but with Black having the IQP. Not my cup of tea but works well for him and - again - unbalances the pawn structure.
For an example - follow the link in my earlier post on this thread.
I've played half a dozen or so Exchange French games as Black (OTB) in the past couple of years and a bunch more on RHP in the 6 months or so that I've been a member. I can't remember a single one that was dull.