On this page I display links to my chess games in which I played either
side of the
French Defense.
The games include analysis and diagrams.
I rarely play the French Defense as Black but sometimes do
transpose into it from another opening. As White, I play the Advanced
Variation and try for the Milner-Barry Gambit. The French Defense starts of
with 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5. White has several options here and the most typical
ones are the Advanced Variation with 3. e5 or 3. Nc3 or 3. Nd2. I always
play 3. e5. Another option for White is the Exchange Variation with 3. exd5,
which is rather drawish. A typical game in the Advanced Variation would go
something like this:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6
When playing the Advanced Variation, this is the position
that I most often see. Although White can play 6. Be2, 6. Bd3 is more
common here and is what I usually play.
6. Bd3 cxd4 7. cxd4
There is a nifty little trap here if Black gets greedy and
grabs the pawn on d4. For example, if 7... Nxd4 8. Nxd4 Qxd4 then 9. Bb5+!!
wins the Black Queen.
So, Back has to play 7... Bd7 first in order to prevent
the check when capturing the pawn on d4.
Position after 7... Bd7.
Now White can retreat the Bishop on d3 to c2 in order to protect his pawn
at d4 or he can castle and sacrifice it for an attack!
I usually play the latter.
8. O-O Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Qxd4
White has sacrificed one pawn for a lead in
development and is about to sacrifice a second one.
10. Nc3 Qxe5
The Black Queen has moved three times so far. White has
castled and moved two other pieces and thus has a slight lead in development
for his two pawns. However, if White's plan fails he will end
up in an endgame down material. White's attack must be swift and
deadly in order to win!
11. Re1 (Forcing the Queen to
move again! If 11... Qc7 then 11. Nxd5!) Qb8
12. Qf3
12. Nxd5 is still playable, but this develops a piece and
the pawn capture is still there until Black blocks the pin on his e pawn to
his King. White also plans to hit the Black Queen again with Bf4. Notice how
Black has yet to develop his Kingside!
... Bd6
Black threatens to capture on h2 and discourages White
from playing Bf4 now. White can protect his h pawn by playing either h3 or
g3, or he can ignore the threat and make some threats of his own.
Although I'm not sure of the best move here I'm inclined to play 13. Nxd5
allowing Black to capture on h2.
13. Nxd5 Bxh2+ 14. Kh1 Bd6
White is still down two pawns here but Black still
has his Kingside undeveloped and his King is still in the Center of
the board. Again, I'm not sure of the best move here but favor
playing 15. Bg5.
15. Bg5 Ne7 16. Nxe7 Bxe7 17. Bxe7 Kxe7
Here White is still down his two pawns and doesn't
seem to have much play left. The Black King is stuck in the Center so that
is where White will need to attack!
I'm thinking that White had a better move on move 12.
Instead of 12. Qf3 how about 12. Qg4?
In this position White still has the threat
of Bf4 as well as Nxd5. In addition, the Bishop on f8 has to guard the pawn
on g7 until the White Queen stops attacking it or Black protects it another
way. Now, let see what happens if 12... Ne7.
12... Ne7 13. Bf4 Qc8 14. Rac1
I like this much better for White than the previous
line! White's pieces are better placed than Black's and the Black
King is stuck in the Center. White is now threatening to play 15. Nb5
followed by 16. Nc7. Also, the Knight move uncovers the Rook attack on
Black's Queen. If 14... Nc6 to shield the Black Queen from the Rook on c1
then White can capture on d5 with his Knight and c7 becomes a target again.
It looks like moving his Queen yet again is Black's best move here!
... Qd8 15. Nb5!
White is clearly better here. Black cannot allow
the White Knight to go to c7! Thus, 15... Rc8 still allows 16. Nc7+ and
Black loses the exchange after capturing on c7 wih his Rook. So, 15... Bxb5
is forced.
... Bxb5 16. Bxb5+
The Black King cannot move and interposing with the Queen loses the
exchange big time so Black must play 16... Nc6.
... Nc6 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Rxc6
Now, White is only down one pawn and the Black King is
still in the Center! Both of Black's rooks are out of play and
the Black Bishop is still guarding g7! Black can fianchetto his
Bishop and castle. After that, he will be completely developed and have the
extra pawn to win the endgame. White must either find a way to keep Black's
King in the Center, find a checkmate, or take advantage of his Queenside
majority without losing to Black's passed pawn in the Center.
The Advanced Variation of the French Defense offers some
exciting lines and I plan to continue to play the Milner-Berry Gambit
against the French Defense even if I don't know all of the best lines for
White. I get exciting positions and tactical shots. Both sides must play
accurately and whomever knows this opening best is going to win.
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by Mike Serovey all rights reserved.
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