French Defence Reloaded

A completely updated edition which presents a Black repertoire based on the French.

Black can enter the French defence, as a separate opening, on move one. I believe that seems to be comfortable for him - to have a reliable defence against 1.e4. The point is however, that chess is becoming more popular and universal and you should have various weapons in your opening armour. Still, if you change skilfully your variations inside the French defence, it may serve you faithfully for Black even if it is your only way to counter 1.e4.

According to the generally accepted classification, the French defence is semi-open. I think it can suit the style both of aggressive tactical players, as well as of the adherents to the patient positional maneuvering.

The philosophical justification of the French defence is quite solid. Black complies with the fact that he will fail to compete with White for the dominance of every square on the chessboard, right from the beginning of the game. On the other hand, he fights fiercely for the centre and attacks it with undermining pawn-moves like c7-c5 and f7-f6 and exerts piece-pressure with Bf8-b4, Ng8-f6, Nb8-c6, Ng8-e7-f5, Qd8-b6.

The arguments pro and against the correctness of the French defence have begun long ago and continue until now. The main themes are Black's lack of space and the consequence of that - the fate of his light-squared bishop, which is severely restricted right on move one. Meanwhile, all "French" players know quite well the rule that sometimes, at the decisive moment of the game, the same "bad" French bishop inflicts the decisive strike, settling the issue.

In this book you will not find the equivocal answer to principled questions of the type "Can you equalize by playing the French defence?", or "Can White obtain a convincing advantage after 1...e6?". Chess is a mini-model of life and the same principles are applicable - there are many questions and no final answers.

We have already seen in the French defence striking novelties in variations with perfect reputation, as well as rehabilitation of lines long past and forgotten. Accordingly, I have decided to present to my readers the French defence - the way I see and understand it.