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French Defense: The "Dullest" of All Openings

I enjoyed this blog, especially the historical context.
You mention the Gukesh-Ding game 1, but game 13 is even more puzzling to me.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2811749
After move 7 black has developed 3 pieces, white only 1.
After move 15, white has played 4 knight moves: Nc3-e2-f4-h5, but nevertheless got some initiative.
In the former 4 Bg5 variation white loses the bishop's pair as you point out, but here white loses the bishop's pair too, and he loses not his bad bishop Bc1, but his good bishop Bd3 after 11...dxc4.

The Tarrasch Variation 3 Nd2 was shown to be harmless in Karpov-Korchnoi matches, but another surprise was this win by Nepomniachtchi:
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2479640

I enjoyed this blog, especially the historical context. You mention the Gukesh-Ding game 1, but game 13 is even more puzzling to me. https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2811749 After move 7 black has developed 3 pieces, white only 1. After move 15, white has played 4 knight moves: Nc3-e2-f4-h5, but nevertheless got some initiative. In the former 4 Bg5 variation white loses the bishop's pair as you point out, but here white loses the bishop's pair too, and he loses not his bad bishop Bc1, but his good bishop Bd3 after 11...dxc4. The Tarrasch Variation 3 Nd2 was shown to be harmless in Karpov-Korchnoi matches, but another surprise was this win by Nepomniachtchi: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2479640

@tpr said ^

I enjoyed this blog, especially the historical context.
You mention the Gukesh-Ding game 1, but game 13 is even more puzzling to me.
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2811749
After move 7 black has developed 3 pieces, white only 1.
After move 15, white has played 4 knight moves: Nc3-e2-f4-h5, but nevertheless got some initiative.
In the former 4 Bg5 variation white loses the bishop's pair as you point out, but here white loses the bishop's pair too, and he loses not his bad bishop Bc1, but his good bishop Bd3 after 11...dxc4.

The Tarrasch Variation 3 Nd2 was shown to be harmless in Karpov-Korchnoi matches, but another surprise was this win by Nepomniachtchi:
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2479640

Appreciate it. In regards to the win by Nepo, that was the Ding freezing game, which happens to most of us I feel just not at that level usually.

As for the first game, knights on f4 and h5 are awesome in these structures, making up for the missing bishop.

@tpr said [^](/forum/redirect/post/MoF22yo2) > I enjoyed this blog, especially the historical context. > You mention the Gukesh-Ding game 1, but game 13 is even more puzzling to me. > https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2811749 > After move 7 black has developed 3 pieces, white only 1. > After move 15, white has played 4 knight moves: Nc3-e2-f4-h5, but nevertheless got some initiative. > In the former 4 Bg5 variation white loses the bishop's pair as you point out, but here white loses the bishop's pair too, and he loses not his bad bishop Bc1, but his good bishop Bd3 after 11...dxc4. > > The Tarrasch Variation 3 Nd2 was shown to be harmless in Karpov-Korchnoi matches, but another surprise was this win by Nepomniachtchi: > https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2479640 Appreciate it. In regards to the win by Nepo, that was the Ding freezing game, which happens to most of us I feel just not at that level usually. As for the first game, knights on f4 and h5 are awesome in these structures, making up for the missing bishop.

"knights on f4 and h5 are awesome in these structures"

  • Strange, I thought pawn move f4 was imperative in these structure, as Steinitz himself said.
    The game seems to violate all opening principles. Losing a tempo with a3, moving Nb1 4 times in 15 moves, giving black a development advantage, trading the good bishop and keeping the bad bishop. I am still puzzled by this game.
"knights on f4 and h5 are awesome in these structures" * Strange, I thought pawn move f4 was imperative in these structure, as Steinitz himself said. The game seems to violate all opening principles. Losing a tempo with a3, moving Nb1 4 times in 15 moves, giving black a development advantage, trading the good bishop and keeping the bad bishop. I am still puzzled by this game.

@theScot

Nice historical stuff. Very good. I like the long range view.

@theScot Nice historical stuff. Very good. I like the long range view.

@RuyLopez1000 said ^

@theScot

Nice historical stuff. Very good. I like the long range view.

Thanks! Love chess history.

@RuyLopez1000 said [^](/forum/redirect/post/DMujGC5E) > @theScot > > Nice historical stuff. Very good. I like the long range view. Thanks! Love chess history.

UHHHHH JAQUES WHY I hate the French >:O

:(

UHHHHH JAQUES WHY I hate the French >:O >:(

The French Defense is one of the healthiest openings in all of Chess: It gives both sides solid positions, great attacking and defending chances, and many good variations---mostly for Black---to choose from. It also allows both sides to play efficiently on both sides of the board, even though the Pawn chains point toward opposite sides.

The French Defense is one of the healthiest openings in all of Chess: It gives both sides solid positions, great attacking and defending chances, and many good variations---mostly for Black---to choose from. It also allows both sides to play efficiently on both sides of the board, even though the Pawn chains point toward opposite sides.

@theScot the French often turns sharp in many variations, but I have a hard time against lower rated players who are playing just for the draw. They play dry lines like exchange french(without c4) and Tarrasch and try to force a drawish position. I have racked my brains, but I can't seem to find a way to make these lines interesting.

@theScot the French often turns sharp in many variations, but I have a hard time against lower rated players who are playing just for the draw. They play dry lines like exchange french(without c4) and Tarrasch and try to force a drawish position. I have racked my brains, but I can't seem to find a way to make these lines interesting.