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French defense discussion forum

I'm created this to discus variations of the french. Let's start with the exchange variation. I hate this variation because I don't like symmetry, and despite that one study I read on crushing the french so I could play it more safely as black, I prefer the knights variation. Any advice on how to play against the exchange variation.

I'm created this to discus variations of the french. Let's start with the exchange variation. I hate this variation because I don't like symmetry, and despite that one study I read on crushing the french so I could play it more safely as black, I prefer the knights variation. Any advice on how to play against the exchange variation.

Be good at endgames espacially knight endgames.

Be good at endgames espacially knight endgames.

Also, what do I do when my opponent plays f4 on there second move?

Also, what do I do when my opponent plays f4 on there second move?

@fuxx_de said in #2:

Be good at endgames espacially knight endgames.

Thanks for the advise I am good at all endgames except knight ones. I take pride in it.

@fuxx_de said in #2: > Be good at endgames espacially knight endgames. Thanks for the advise I am good at all endgames except knight ones. I take pride in it.

What symmetry?
1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5
There is 3... Qxd5!? and after 4 Nc3 Bb4 you have transposed to the Katalimov variation normally reached by 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Qd5 5 Nc3 Bb4. You can easily book up on this and be better prepared than your opponent.
After 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 exd5 you can still aim for asymmetry. There is the 'Svenonius rule' if White plays Nf3, you play Ne7 and if they play Ne2, you play Nf6, keeping the piece placement different. Not to mention plans where black plays an early c5 or castles long.

What symmetry? 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 There is 3... Qxd5!? and after 4 Nc3 Bb4 you have transposed to the Katalimov variation normally reached by 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Qd5 5 Nc3 Bb4. You can easily book up on this and be better prepared than your opponent. After 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 exd5 you can still aim for asymmetry. There is the 'Svenonius rule' if White plays Nf3, you play Ne7 and if they play Ne2, you play Nf6, keeping the piece placement different. Not to mention plans where black plays an early c5 or castles long.

exchange is easy. Think how'll you deel with that bishop and cramped positoin in advanced. i was also a french player i quited because of that.

exchange is easy. Think how'll you deel with that bishop and cramped positoin in advanced. i was also a french player i quited because of that.

@barrelcactus

I've played the French defense for many years and, like you, initially despised the exchange variation. I came to understand over time that this was a psychological reaction that was not based upon the realities of the position. I used to play the French because I did not particularly enjoy open games and often felt outgunned in opening. Thus, when I met the French exchange, I was defeated at the outset and annoyed that I wasn't getting to play a familiar closed or semi-closed game. This led to me "shutting down" and just passively shuffling, hoping that the attack wouldn't come. But it always did. If that is the case for you, then I suggest a few things:

  1. Analyze the positions that arise from the exchange French and start drilling some common tactics. White definitely has attacking chances, but so does black! One of the biggest "sins" of playing the exchange French as black is being stuck in the mindset of being safe and solid which often results in a passive game where white usually whips up a crushing attack. You have to be prepared to respond aggressively, which means you have to practice your tactics and get comfortable. Once you are comfortable and familiar with the positions that arise, you should be able to put up a better fight.

  2. Explore lines where black castles queenside. When you castle queenside, you attack on the kingside. The game turns into a race oftentimes, along the lines of things you see in Sicilian games. Take a look at this video for a brief introduction to the idea of opposite side castling in the French exchange: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE7byb_4nWM. This may be the solution you are looking for as it breaks the symmetry and, if white is not careful, you can ram you kingside pawns and break the white position apart. But, you should also be prepared for counterattacks on the queenside, which can also be deadly.

Bottom line: don't run from the complications of the exchange French. Rather, embrace them. Try lines where black castles queenside and play around with the positions. Remember above all that you have to fight.

@barrelcactus I've played the French defense for many years and, like you, initially despised the exchange variation. I came to understand over time that this was a psychological reaction that was not based upon the realities of the position. I used to play the French because I did not particularly enjoy open games and often felt outgunned in opening. Thus, when I met the French exchange, I was defeated at the outset and annoyed that I wasn't getting to play a familiar closed or semi-closed game. This led to me "shutting down" and just passively shuffling, hoping that the attack wouldn't come. But it always did. If that is the case for you, then I suggest a few things: 1. Analyze the positions that arise from the exchange French and start drilling some common tactics. White definitely has attacking chances, *but so does black!* One of the biggest "sins" of playing the exchange French as black is being stuck in the mindset of being safe and solid which often results in a passive game where white usually whips up a crushing attack. You have to be prepared to respond *aggressively*, which means you have to practice your tactics and get comfortable. Once you are comfortable and familiar with the positions that arise, you should be able to put up a better fight. 2. Explore lines where black castles queenside. When you castle queenside, you attack on the kingside. The game turns into a race oftentimes, along the lines of things you see in Sicilian games. Take a look at this video for a brief introduction to the idea of opposite side castling in the French exchange: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE7byb_4nWM. This may be the solution you are looking for as it breaks the symmetry and, if white is not careful, you can ram you kingside pawns and break the white position apart. But, you should also be prepared for counterattacks on the queenside, which can also be deadly. Bottom line: don't run from the complications of the exchange French. Rather, embrace them. Try lines where black castles queenside and play around with the positions. Remember above all that *you have to fight.*

@barrelcactus said in #3:

Also, what do I do when my opponent plays f4 on there second move?

2...d5, of course. It is the move against every white 2nd move, including 2.Nf3

@barrelcactus said in #3: > Also, what do I do when my opponent plays f4 on there second move? 2...d5, of course. It is the move against every white 2nd move, including 2.Nf3