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I need a better line to play against the french defense

And this is why


The French Exchange is my favorite, but it's too drawish. I don't like the advance variation either. What do I play that doesn't have a billion moves of theory?
chess is 90% theory, 10% luck. You should learn the natural moves then seek to draw your every game unless your opponent makes a mistake.
Your whole game is a theoretical draw
5 c4 is sharper
Try the Winawer... I find it to be the most difficult line to play against. Pick one line and just study a little bit.

for example:

i just play the steinitz defense and take the incoming pawn en passant. opponent is comfused and center control is gained
I have always struggled against the French, then switched to the Exchange with (often) early c4, and got way better results than expected.

You need way less theory than in the 3. Nc3 lines, in blitz you can probably play it without any knowledge at all.
Very natural to play, slight initative for white, none of the usual play against white's center that black normally gets in the French.

At the non-elite level, where players aren't so versatile / universal, but usually have their preferred structures, chances are high that these open IQP positions are pretty much the last thing that the French player wanted. :p
French Defence players play the French in one game out of 2, white players in one game out of 20.
It is not worth it to study all the theory of Winawer, Mac Cutcheon, Alekhine-Chatard, Rubinstein...
The exchange variation is a smart shortcut and French defence players hate it.
Tendency is drawish, but an early c4 makes it sharper.

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