As in most lines of the French Defense, Black’s idea is to counter-attack in the center with c5. This is the natural breakthrough in Black’s position, and Black can either play it right away or wait for White to close the center with e5 first.
What is the French Defense in chess?
The French Defense is a sharp counterattacking weapon against white’s King Pawn opening. From black’s first move, he looks to block the a2-g8 diagonal which is usually a big weakness for black and prepares to take control of the light squares in the center after 2.
Who plays the French defense?
The French defense is a trademark of Nikita Vitiugov. He’s played it constantly over the last 2 decades, against all kind of opponents.
Is French defense hard to learn?
The French Defence is one of the most complicated and difficult openings to handle for an average club players. Playing behind long pawn chains, strategical maneouvering, ragged play, tactical variations, open center, closed center, etc… You name it, French Defence features it all.
Why is the French defence not played at the opening?
The French Defense requires a lot of sharp, tactical play. It is “like” the Sicilian insofar as it tries to avoid e5 as a response to e4, and take away the initiative from White. But although “tactical,” the Sicilian offers more of a positional game than the French. (I play both, but prefer the Sicilian.)
Is there a way to refute the French Defence?
No, they won’t be able to because there is no way to refute the French with white. There can be some scary lines for black, for instance in the Winawer where white plays Qg4, but if black knows the theory he should be fine (unless white has a novelty!).
What happens if you play the French defense as Black?
In other words, if you play the French defense as Black, you are playing for a draw – actually even worse than that, since you’ll be suffering for a draw as opposed to making a relatively easy draw with a line such as the Berlin, or possibly even fighting for an advantage with the Sicilian.
Why do most GMs play 1.e5 rather than the French Defence?
Why do the majority of GMs and almost all super-GMs play 1…e5 or 1…c5 in answer to 1.e4 rather than the French Defence (1…e6)? Peter: I think the answer is twofold. Firstly, both the Spanish and the Sicilian offer you a much broader scope to choose from. If you play 1…e5 you’re not really limited to one structure, let alone one line.
