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French defense: Paulsen variation (as white)

#1

As white, i've been suggested to play the Paulsen variation against the french defense (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3) since i used to play the exchange variation (and it's no good for tournaments).
On the internet i found little material on the argument, nothing useful. So my question is: what should i study and first of all HOW should i study this opening?
Thanks.

PS: i've got no book on the french unfortunately D:

As white, i've been suggested to play the Paulsen variation against the french defense (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3) since i used to play the exchange variation (and it's no good for tournaments). On the internet i found little material on the argument, nothing useful. So my question is: what should i study and first of all HOW should i study this opening? Thanks. PS: i've got no book on the french unfortunately D:
#3

"i've been suggested to play the Paulsen variation against the french defense (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3)" * That is the main line

"since i used to play the exchange variation (and it's no good for tournaments)." * It is good for tournaments. It leads to the same position from the Petrov.

https://lichess.org/BvW4qnLR

Gukesh even played the exchange variation in his world championship match
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2808088

"On the internet i found little material on the argument, nothing useful." * 3 Nc3 is played 10 times more often than 3 exd5. That means most white players expect more chances from it, but also that black players are better prepared for it.

"what should i study" * The 2 main lines are 3 Nc3 Nf6 and 3 Nc3 Bb4, with 3...dxe4 a distant third.

"HOW should i study this opening?" * By studying grandmaster games with it.

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2806984
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2811749

https://lichess.org/fUvSXVK4

"i've got no book on the french" * No need to. all opening books are obsolete while being printed.

"i've been suggested to play the Paulsen variation against the french defense (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3)" * That is the main line "since i used to play the exchange variation (and it's no good for tournaments)." * It is good for tournaments. It leads to the same position from the Petrov. https://lichess.org/BvW4qnLR Gukesh even played the exchange variation in his world championship match https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2808088 "On the internet i found little material on the argument, nothing useful." * 3 Nc3 is played 10 times more often than 3 exd5. That means most white players expect more chances from it, but also that black players are better prepared for it. "what should i study" * The 2 main lines are 3 Nc3 Nf6 and 3 Nc3 Bb4, with 3...dxe4 a distant third. "HOW should i study this opening?" * By studying grandmaster games with it. https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2806984 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2811749 https://lichess.org/fUvSXVK4 "i've got no book on the french" * No need to. all opening books are obsolete while being printed.
#4

The exchange variation is good for tournaments when playing against stronger opponents because it's very drawish. However, I, as a growing player, need an opening to play against players of my level and should always play for the win. The example with the World Championship doesn't work since at higher levels there are played more solid openings.
@tpr said in #3:

By studying grandmaster games with it.
That's usually a method that helps to understand BETTER the opening; i need material that helps me LEARN the plans and the concepts.
Thanks for the reply :)

The exchange variation is good for tournaments when playing against stronger opponents because it's very drawish. However, I, as a growing player, need an opening to play against players of my level and should always play for the win. The example with the World Championship doesn't work since at higher levels there are played more solid openings. @tpr said in #3: > By studying grandmaster games with it. That's usually a method that helps to understand BETTER the opening; i need material that helps me LEARN the plans and the concepts. Thanks for the reply :)
#5

"The exchange variation is good for tournaments when playing against stronger opponents because it's very drawish."

  • That is not true. Gukesh played it in his world championship match to win as white, not to draw.
    Against weaker players it is very effective to win, as the weaker players usually are even weaker in endgames.

"i need material that helps me LEARN the plans and the concepts." * Games and games, my friend. Study whole games and you will learn the plans and concepts.

"The exchange variation is good for tournaments when playing against stronger opponents because it's very drawish." * That is not true. Gukesh played it in his world championship match to win as white, not to draw. Against weaker players it is very effective to win, as the weaker players usually are even weaker in endgames. "i need material that helps me LEARN the plans and the concepts." * Games and games, my friend. Study whole games and you will learn the plans and concepts.
#6

@tpr said in #5:

Gukesh played it in his world championship match to win as white, not to draw.
Yea but he still drew, it's statistical: according to the lichess book, almost 60% of the masters' games are drawn with the exchange variation.
I'm telling this even from experience, i always drew games with the exchange variation.

Isn't there a method like more simple and linear? is that the only way?
Thanks for the reply!

@tpr said in #5: > Gukesh played it in his world championship match to win as white, not to draw. Yea but he still drew, it's statistical: according to the lichess book, almost 60% of the masters' games are drawn with the exchange variation. I'm telling this even from experience, i always drew games with the exchange variation. Isn't there a method like more simple and linear? is that the only way? Thanks for the reply!
#9

"he still drew" * Gukesh even lost as white with Nc3. Chess is a draw. You can only win a game of chess if your opponent errs.

"according to the lichess book, almost 60% of the masters' games are drawn with the exchange variation" * You are not a master and neither are your opponents. However, your opponents face 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 more often than you, so you are more likely to err. On the contrary your opponents and you face 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 about as frequently. It may also do double duty for you as a way to meet the Petrov. Also it avoids the pawn chains d4-e5 vs. d5-e6 that the French Defense players are so fond of.

"i always drew games with the exchange variation" * Apparently Gukesh and his team of grandmasters and engines believed 3 exd5 offered them a better chance of winning than 3 Nc3

"is that the only way?" * There are 2 ways. Study of grandmaster games and analysis of your own lost games.

"he still drew" * Gukesh even lost as white with Nc3. Chess is a draw. You can only win a game of chess if your opponent errs. "according to the lichess book, almost 60% of the masters' games are drawn with the exchange variation" * You are not a master and neither are your opponents. However, your opponents face 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 more often than you, so you are more likely to err. On the contrary your opponents and you face 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 about as frequently. It may also do double duty for you as a way to meet the Petrov. Also it avoids the pawn chains d4-e5 vs. d5-e6 that the French Defense players are so fond of. "i always drew games with the exchange variation" * Apparently Gukesh and his team of grandmasters and engines believed 3 exd5 offered them a better chance of winning than 3 Nc3 "is that the only way?" * There are 2 ways. Study of grandmaster games and analysis of your own lost games.
#10

Man, i'm telling you, you could play even against an unrated player in CLASSICAL, yet still draw because the exchange variation, as far as i know, is an effortless opening played by a lot of people.

@tpr said in #9:

Gukesh even lost as white with Nc3

Because Nc3 is a variant that is "aggressive", and everything that is aggressive (an attack, a tactic, a pawn break...) if it doesn't work you can lose. Of course if a opening offers you to win you could also lose (otherwise chess would be solved already). That doesn't happen with the exchange variation: if you play well, you draw, unless any blunders from the opponent.

summarize: the exchange variation it can be good ONLINE but not otb where opponents tend to make fewer mistakes.

oh, btw, i saw you have a 56.1% score with the paulsen, nice!

Man, i'm telling you, you could play even against an unrated player in CLASSICAL, yet still draw because the exchange variation, as far as i know, is an effortless opening played by a lot of people. @tpr said in #9: > Gukesh even lost as white with Nc3 Because Nc3 is a variant that is "aggressive", and everything that is aggressive (an attack, a tactic, a pawn break...) if it doesn't work you can lose. Of course if a opening offers you to win you could also lose (otherwise chess would be solved already). That doesn't happen with the exchange variation: if you play well, you draw, unless any blunders from the opponent. summarize: the exchange variation it can be good ONLINE but not otb where opponents tend to make fewer mistakes. oh, btw, i saw you have a 56.1% score with the paulsen, nice!

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