The French Defence

Hi

I am ina dilemma about my openings, in particular, what to play as black against 1.e4. I have realised that I need to play more aggressively in my games.

I have recently been thinking about playing the French Defence. I have tried it out in friendly games and I like the idea behind it and its solidity, but I am not sure about the cramped position and the light-squared bishop.

I asked a 1550 OTB player what he thought of the French, and he said 'the plan are easy, you just apply pressure to white's centre. You don't need to worry about the light-squared bishop until the endgame, when it is very strong'.

Is this good advice?

Any comments/suggestions/analysis/games are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Skims 🙂

Originally posted by skims
Hi

I am ina dilemma about my openings, in particular, what to play as black against 1.e4. I have realised that I need to play more aggressively in my games.

I have recently been thinking about playing the French Defence. I have tried it out in friendly games and I like the idea behind it and its solidity, but I am not sure about the cramped position and ...[text shortened]... /suggestions/analysis/games are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Skims 🙂

Originally posted by cmsMaster
I've always thought this defense offered plenty of strong options for black-at every level, in fact I've conisdered playing it, but it just doesn't seem to suit my style (too bad I guess). I'd say give it a shot, play a few games with it and see what you think. An important thing to remember is not to get discouraged if you lose at first-this will happen ...[text shortened]... mount of theory doesn't overwhelm you also.

BTW: What the hell does a 1550 know?!?! 😛

Originally posted by cmsMaster

BTW: What the hell does a 1550 know?!?! 😛

Originally posted by skims
Well the 1550 that I asked has been playing the French for years and was rated 1800 a few years ago, I am not sure if the advice he gave is accurate or not...

I've recently started playing the french and i'm pretty happy with it, i think this and the alekhine will be my main defences against e4 for some time. I like the fact that most variations of the french lead to very complex and double edged positions, the biggest problem for me was getting used to keeping my king in the center or moving him around during the middlegame.

I have real trouble with that light squared bishop!

What do you think of the advice that the 1550 player gave me? Should I not worry about the light-squared bishop until an endgame? Is it very strong then?

I was shocked when he said that, because I thought if I don't move the c8-bishop at all until the endgame, then I'll be playing the opening and middlegame essentially a piece down 🙁 I don't know.

Does anyone have any recommended lines for black/advice about the French/games that I should look at?

Thanks.

Originally posted by omulcusobolani
I've recently started playing the french and i'm pretty happy with it, i think this and the alekhine will be my main defences against e4 for some time. I like the fact that most variations of the french lead to very complex and double edged positions, the biggest problem for me was getting used to keeping my king in the center or moving him around during the middlegame.

Originally posted by skims
I have real trouble with that light squared bishop!

What do you think of the advice that the 1550 player gave me? Should I not worry about the light-squared bishop until an endgame? Is it very strong then?

I was shocked when he said that, because I thought if I don't move the c8-bishop at all until the endgame, then I'll be playing the opening and middle ...[text shortened]... y recommended lines for black/advice about the French/games that I should look at?

Thanks.

Friend of mine who is IM once said he doesn't recommend French to anyone below 2100. I have always liked it myself and have had some nice games with it. Of course strong players rip you apart when you play it against them, but then again they do that despite of your choice of opening 🙂

My personal view is that it's very good opening if you don't mind having a bit cramped position. How ever, switching to some new opening isn't going to be helpful if you have problems with tactics, endgames and basic strategy.

Just my .02 cents.

Originally posted by Sicilian Smaug
The French seems to suit 1.d4 players best. + the Caro Kann.

Originally posted by skims
Hi

I am ina dilemma about my openings, in particular, what to play as black against 1.e4. I have realised that I need to play more aggressively in my games.

I have recently been thinking about playing the French Defence. I have tried it out in friendly games and I like the idea behind it and its solidity, but I am not sure about the cramped position and ...[text shortened]... /suggestions/analysis/games are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Skims 🙂

Originally posted by smrex13
Another positive of the French is that there really aren't too many 'anti-French' weapons out there. If you compare the French to the Sicilian, for example, you will find that you actually play the French in most of your games whereas in the Sicilian you may seldom get to your open variation.

Scott