French defense: overview of the main options. French defense: overview of the main options What is the French defense
Good evening!
A letter arrived asking how White could interpret the French Defense in an interesting way.
With such questions, I want to answer to the point and briefly and, no matter what is protocol, is understandable to the widest circle of readers of the magazine.
In general, the answers to such questions in the main part of the post will always be too general, necessarily based on my own experience of application, and without taking into account specific revolutionary continuations from the “highest echelon”.
But if the comments contain narrower, specific questions, then it would probably be appropriate to go deeper in the comments and convey something specific.
In addition, I sincerely believe that it is much more interesting to try to play the game yourself, get your head around it, maybe even try to find something of your own...
French defense...
Despite the fact that there are no bad or good openings, but only weak and strong play by people, this is the defense I ALWAYS liked to play against. As a student, it even smacked of some kind of bragging... “Actually, I don’t let the French out” :))
Later I played with different “French” players and some of them showed what this statement of mine is worth ;-)
The idea of defense that occurs after moves:
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5
Allow White to create an ideal pawn center (pair of pawns e4+d4), but immediately attack it with a d7-d5 pawn attack.
The same meaning is in the Kara-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5), but with specifics - Black has a “French bishop” on c8. He often finds himself shackled by his own pawns for a long time.
The French defense in many variations is pawn chains of white pawns e5+d4 against black e6+d5 The game is closed in nature. And this indicates a shift in the partners’ interests to the flanks. The chain itself determines the preconditions for White to play on the kingside and Black to play on the queenside. There are exceptions, but in general, as Sveshnikov says, “with a white pawn on e5, White is obliged to attack Black’s kingside.”
Well, for black this is a game against the “base of white’s pawn base” pawn d4, sometimes against the base on c3. Also operations on the “c” line.
At first I didn’t value Black’s c8 bishop at all, but gradually, with the advent of strong black partners, I noticed that this bishop plays a password-cementing role in defense. And when Black manages to exchange it, through the a6 square or through the b5 square, then playing on the attack sometimes becomes more fun, as if he had knocked out his opponent’s tooth.
The overall impression of the defense is that an experienced player will play it perfectly! There are a lot of things for black people. It is no coincidence that Petrosian, Botvinnik, and Korchnoi used it as black. And for example, Fischer, despite some bright victories, was beaten more than once when playing with white.
White has three main ways to “follow the principle” and show Black “Kuzma’s mother”:
3. Ks3
3.Nd2
3.e5
There is also the move 3.e:d5 I won’t consider it. The result is symmetrical positions played by specific players, or with specific tasks. Black's play is no worse here, and the workload and "passion" are not too high.
But then I’ll show you my personal “blitz” move 2.b3?! Which leads to interesting and unusual positions. This is exactly the case. When the results from an option are much higher than the reputation :-)) Maybe someone will take note.
So today 3.Ks3.
White does not identify the pawns in the center, he simply removes the piece. Balancing the development and operational requirements of the position. They don’t even mind if a white knight appears instead of a pawn on e4.
An important feature of the move is that, unlike 3.Kd2, White does not block the exit for bishop c1, because White made the 2nd move d2-d4 partly for him.
Usually, those who play this variation with White are not afraid of the attack 3...Cb4. Some even consider this variation of Vinaver (Bb4) to be incorrect! Since black voluntarily gives up his strong bishop, remaining only with a furniture-like light-squared one.
Some chess players - Tal, Fischer, Smyslov, Sveshnikov - consider this move to be the strongest for White. But it is clear that not everyone is so categorical.
Common objections from blacks are
3… Kf6 (the so-called classical system)
AND
3…Bb4 (Vinaver variation)
In the classical system, I always played only this way - 4.Bg5.
An alternative continuation 4.e5 Kd7 5.f4 - it also has fans.
The meaning of the move 4. Cg5 is that White still has time to play f2-f4, but in advance takes his dark-squared bishop behind the chain. The pawns will be on black squares, which means the dark-squared bishop with chains is not needed by White. White’s logic with 4.e5 Kd7 5. f4 is not to waste time and immediately start a fight, they don’t want any exchanges to take place in the smaller space! Black is constrained - a fact.
4.Bg5 Ce7 5.e5 Kd7 6.C:e7 Q:e7 7.f4
7…a6 8.Kf3 c5 9.Qd2 Kc6 10.0-0-0 0-0
1). They can undermine White's center with f7-f6. In this case, after e:f6, White has a clear play along the central files, against the hanging pawns e and d. It is enough to play two or three serious games on this topic, analyze them, and I think you will understand the basic requirements of the position well. Here you need to take into account the organization of pressure on the queenside, as well as the movement of the central pawns (nevertheless!)
2). Black can leave the pawn on f7 and prepare a pawn attack on the queenside. Cavalry, advanced pawns supported by rooks - this is serious. BUT!
And White is not sitting idly by, the resource g2-g4 and f4-f5 follows from the position itself! Here he wins in strength, since White's king has gone to the queenside.
From personal feelings, I liked this reaction of blacks more when playing with white than the method of play (1).
3) Exchange of knight c5 for bishop d3 is the least justified reaction in my opinion. White takes on d3 with a pawn, takes the king to b1 and occupies SPECIFICALLY the knights on the d4 square, which is very convenient with a pawn on d3 (Black is deprived of important points e4, c4). Next, they occupy the “c” line with their rooks and try to exchange as many pieces and queens as possible. Rooks, knights... In general, everyone except Black's bad light-squared bishop. The prospect of a difficult ending for black is the main motive for this branch.
I would like to draw the attention of chess players who, like me, like to “add fuel to the fire”, as well as positions full of improvisation and initiative play. For you, in the classic branch there is ATTACK OF SHATAR. White after the move 5... Nd7 - boldly sacrifices a pawn with the move 6.h4!?
Of course, in a serious game I will think about it again. I’ll use it with someone, but not against someone, but in a blitz it’s heavy artillery against the French defense!
I don’t place much importance on victories in the Internet blitz, but I still once defeated Dmitry Andreikin devastatingly in this attack. And this, for a second, is the Russian champion among men and one of the very best in blitz, even by world standards.
I don’t see any point in presenting any special options. The best illustration is the game of the great Alexander Alekhine, where Black accepted the pawn sacrifice. Nowadays blacks are more likely to reject...
Alekhine-Farni (1914)
1. e2—e4 e7—eb 2. d2—d4 d7—d5 3. Nb1—c3 Kg8—f6 4. Cc1—g5 Cf8—e7 5. e4—e5 Kf6—d7 6. h2—h4.
It was after this victory of Alekhine that this attack received recognition.
6. ... Se7: g5
Now they prefer to refrain from taking the pawn and play 6. . .f6 or 6. . ,c5, as a result, complications arise with mutual chances, while after accepting the pawn sacrifice, White’s advantage is undeniable.
7. h4: g5 Od8: g5
8. Kg1—hЗ Og5—e7
It's not better than 8... .Qb6 9. g3 and 10. Cg2.
9. Kh3—f4 Kd7—f8
For the sacrificed pawn, White received an advantage in development, an open h-file and good chances to attack the kingside.
10. Qd1—g4 f7-f5
You can't 10. . .Kg6 11. K: g6 fg 12. R: b7 and 13. Q: g6+
11. e5: f6 g7: f6
12. 0—0—0 с7—c6
The black king is stuck in the center, where white pieces are falling on him. Threatens 13. K: d5.
13. Rd1—e1 Kpe8-d8
14. Rh1—h6 e6-e5
15. Qg4—h4 Kb8-d7
16. Cf1—d3 e5- e4
Defending against 17. Cf5; but now the black center is exploding.
17. Qh4—g3! Qe7—f7
The threat was 18. K: d5, and another queen retreat was dangerous because of 18. Qg7.
18. Cd3: e4!
Defense breakthrough. The elephant is sacrificed to clear the way for other pieces.
18...d5: e4
19. Ks3: e4 Rb8—g8
Poor 19. . .F: a2 20. K: f6 K: f6 21. Qg7.
20. FgZ—aZ! Qf7—g7
Or 20... .Фе7 21. Ф5+! b6 22. FsZ!
21. Ne4—d6! Kd7—b6
22. Kd6—е8!
Checkmate or major material losses are now inevitable. Loses 22. . Qd7 because of 23. N: f6 or 22. . .Ks4 23. Qs5 Qf7 24. R: f6.
22...Qg7-f7
23. FAZ—d6+.
The blacks surrendered.
In the next issue how to play with white against the line Vinavera (3… Cb4)
I am glad to welcome you, dear friend!
Do you have Napoleonic plans for chess? If so, it’s time to somehow join the homeland of the great commander. No, we're not talking about champagne, of course. I think you've already guessed that the French defense is on the agenda today.
What is the French defense?
In the classification accepted in chess, the French defense is an opening.
The contours of the “French” are determined immediately during the first move:
1.e4 e6
The ideological basis of the debut is quite convincing. Black does not undertake the obligation to “fight without giving up an inch of ground,” but is going to counterattack the center with pawn explosions f7-f6 And s7-s5, as well as figure pressure Bb4,Qb6, Ng8-e7-f5,Kc6 .
There is no clear answer to the question of whether the French defense equalizes Black's chances. Disputes about this and the correctness of this opening continue to this day. And there is no foreseeable end to these disputes in the near future.
Main options
Below is an overview of the main continuations for White and Black in the French Defense.
Nimzowitsch system
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
One of the most ambitious options. Having closed the center and taken possession of the space, White begins to press across the entire board. The question is how reliably they will be able to protect the central pawns. This popular system is played by Grischuk, Svidler, Shirov.
3…. c5 4. c3
Today this move is considered mandatory.
4…. Qb6
5.Kf3 Kc6
Here is a fork in the option. White has a choice: 6.Be2 6.Bd3 and 6.a3
Today it is considered the most powerful 6.a3
White set out to seize space on the queenside.
Main option:
With mutual chances.
Rubinstein variant
1.е4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 de
Black heads for unloading in the center. The logic is quite simple and reliable, like the whole option.
4.K:e4 Nd7 Preparing the move Ngf6
With an approximately equal game. Galkin-Bareev 2001
Morozevich's variant
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Ce7
This mysterious move is made with the aim of developing the bishop into a secure position and seeing which line White will choose.
4.Bd3 the most popular move. Other options 4.с3, 4.е5 4.Кgf3
An example option for Bd3:
With White's advantage. Anisimov - Nepomnyashchy 2007
Tarrasch system
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5
Black immediately undermines the center while it is not yet “ossified.”
4.ed
After 4.с3 сd 5.cd de 6.K:е4 Kf6 Blacks have no difficulty.
4…Q:d5 5.dc
For blacks good game. Baloh-Vityugov 2011
Vinaver system
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Kc3 Bb4
A double-edged option that requires precise and energetic play for both white and black.
4.е5
Principled answer. White does not allow the knight to f6 and is preparing to develop the initiative on the kingside.
5…с5 6.а3
With a draw. Rivero-Bhat, 2008
McCutcheon's counterattack
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Kc3 Nf6 4.Cg5 Cb4
5.ed Q:d5
The game is equal. Rabiego-Hübner 2001
Steinitz system
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6
In the Steinitz system, the game is played in a positional manner.
May follow:
White has a slight advantage. Almasy-Volkov, 2011
Traps and common mistakes
Fixed idea
White was so carried away by his idea of sweeping away the entire kingside of Black's queens that he completely ignored the opposition. The result is on the board.
Interval
The unexpected intermediate move Qd2 dashed all Black's hopes. They lose their queen.
What is good about the French defense?
Limiting yourself to one opening in modern chess is hardly wise.
However, in the French defense the range of possibilities is very wide. With optimal selection and alternation different options, - the entire opening repertoire for Black in response to 1.e4 can be placed within the framework of the French Defense.
It's quite convenient. You can focus on studying this opening in more depth.
It is safe to say that the French defense will not be refuted in the foreseeable future. So, you can calmly build your debut repertoire brick by brick based on the French one. Play and win.
Approximate games
Grischuk - Morozevich
2016 World Blitz Championship 1-0
HowYifan— Kramnik
2016, 10th Kings Rapid Match 0-1
Sutovsky — Ivanchuk
2015, ACP Masters 0-1
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Chess openings- French defense
The French Defense is an opening that begins with the moves:
1. e2-e4 e7-e6. Refers to semi-open openings.
One of the main ideas is to radically cover the most vulnerable point “f7”. Black's strategy is built on the idea of shifting the balance in the center literally in the first moves, which predetermines the complex nature of the further course of the game in this opening. Typical positions arising in the French Defense formed the basis for writing one of the best chess textbooks"My system" by A. Nimzowitsch.
The opening got its name in honor of the chess players of France, where it gained popularity at the beginning of the 19th century. In the telegraph game London - Paris, played in 1834, French chess players used exactly this opening for black and won, which further contributed to the establishment of its current name for the opening. The first serious studies of the French defense belonged to the Russian chess player K. Janisch and were published in 1842. Subsequently, almost all the strongest chess players in the world turned to this defense. The French defense was one of the favorite defensive weapons in the hands of world champions M. Botvinnik and T. Petrosyan. It was firmly included in the debut repertoire of Z. Tarrasch, A. Nimzowitsch, A. Rubinstein, I. Boleslavsky, I. Bondarevsky, D. Bronstein, L. Portisch, V. Ullman, V. Korchnoi and many others. Among modern grandmasters, it is worth noting Vyacheslav Eingorn, Mikhail Gurevich, Evgeny Gleizerov, Alexander Morozevich, Evgeny Bareev, Teymur Radjabov, Gata Kamsky, Emil Sutovsky, Nikita Vitiugov, who successfully use this opening in the most important competitions.
Options
Rare options:
Chigorin system 1.e4 e6 2.Fe2
Indian defense 1.e4 e6 2.d3 (with a change of colors and extra tempo for White).
Main variations (The main position of the French defense occurs after 2.d2-d4 d7-d5)
Exchange option 3.ed ed
Nimzowitsch system 3.e5
System with stroke 3.Ks3
Rubinstein Variation 3. ... de
3. ... Nf6 4. Bg5 de
4. ... Be7
McCutcheon counterattack 4... Cb4
Steinitz Variation 3... Kf6 4.e5
Winaver Variation (Nimzowitsch-Botvinnik System) 3...Bb4
3. ... Bb4 4.e5
3... Nc6
3. ...Be7
Attack of Shatara - Alekhine 4. ... Ce7 5.e5 Nfd7 6.h4
Classic system 6.B:e7 Q:e7 7.d4
System 7.f4 0-0
System 7.f4 a6
System with f4 (Steinitz system) 3. ... Kf6 4.e5 Kd7 5.f4
Tarrasch system 3. Nd2
3...Kf6
3. ... c5
3. ... Ks6
3...a6
3...b6
3. ... Be7 - Morozevich variation
Rubinstein Variation 3...de (you can play this way after 3.Ks3)
It should be noted that each of the above systems is split into many subsystems.
Literature
Keres P. French defense. M., FiS, 1958
Suetin A.S. French defense. M., FiS, 1983
Stetsko O.V. French defense. Classic system. M., 2004. ISBN 5-17-026848-3
Sveshnikov V.E. Win against the French defense (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5). Russian Chess House, 2005. ISBN 5-94693-035-4
Vitiugov N.V. French defense. Repertoire for blacks. St. Petersburg, 2010
Korchnoi V., Kalinin A. Walks with French protection. Volume 1. M., 2010
