Chess: Understanding the French Defense (Milner Barry Gambit) Part I

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 c5 4 c3 Nc6 5 Nf3 Qb6
6 Bd3 cxd4 7 cxd4 Bd7 8 0-0 Nxd4 9 Nxd4
9 ... Qxd4 10 Nc3 Line



What's the game plan for White?

* Place the bishop on d3 as per move 6.
From d3, the bishop has a clear view
of Black's kingside. In those variations
where Black prematurely castles short,
the typical Bxh7+ combination works
well for White.

* Sacrifice the d4 pawn in return for
attacking opportunities against the
enemy King. This scheme is augmented
by the fact that the Black monarch
often finds it difficult to get to
safety, sometimes even after castling.

What's the game plan for Black?



Accept the proffered pawn as per move
9 and then consolidate the position as
follows:

* Find a safe place for the King.
At times, the queenside may be
the best haven.

* Look for ways to exchange pieces.
With each successful piece trade,
Black's pawn advantage becomes
more telling.

Also available:
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
(King's Indian Attack)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/04/chess-understanding-french-defense.html
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
(Exchange Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-french_115663846957406107.html
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
(Steinitz Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-french_115663318161522094.html
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
(Classical Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-french_115663144978010132.html
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
(Advance Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-french_115663038832365852.html
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-french-defense_26.html
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
(MacCutcheon Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-french-defense_25.html
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
(Tarrasch Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/08/chess-understanding-french-defense.html
Chess: Understanding the French Defense
(Winawer Variation)
http://chesscoach1950.blogspot.com/2006/01/chess-understanding-french-defense_30.html

1 e4



1 ... e6



2 d4



2 ... d5



It's all about controlling the center!

3 e5



3 ... c5



4 c3



4 ... Nc6



5 Nf3



5 ... Qb6



Applying further pressure on d4.

6 Bd3



6 ... cxd4



It's imperative for Black to exchange
on d4 at this particular juncture.

7 cxd4



7 ... Bd7



7 ... Qxd4? would be an error in view of
8 Nxd4 Qxd4 9 Bb5+. After Black responds
to the check, White wins the Black Queen
through 10 Qxd4.

8 0-0



Also playable is 8 Nc3.


8 Be2
8 Bc2

8 ... Nxd4



8 ... Rc8

9 Nxd4



9 Nbd2

9 ... Qxd4



Black is now a pawn ahead.

10 Nc3



White gave up a pawn to gain a developmental lead.
Now Black can choose to accept a second pawn on e5
or decline it and focus promptly on mobilization.

10 Qe2
10 Re1

Variation 1: Black accepts the second pawn on e5

10 ... Qxe5



10 ... Ne7
10 ... Qb6

11 Re1



Developing the rook with gain of tempo.

11 ... Qb8



11 ... Qd6

12 Nxd5



Making use of the pin on the e-pawn.

12 Qf3

12 ... Bd6



13 Qg4



Forcing Black to weaken his King's position.

13 Qh5

13 ... Kf8



Or, 13 ... g6, after which the dark squares
are compromised.

13 ... Bxh2+

14 Bd2



14 ... h5



14 ... f5

15 Qh3



15 ... Bc6



15 ... exd5

16 Ne3



16 Nb4

16 ... Nf6



17 Bc3



Although Black is a pawn up, he has some hurdles
to overcome before his material advantage becomes
telling. His King and Queen are awkwardly placed
and his rooks lack coordination.

17 Nc4

Variation 2: Black declines the e5 pawn.

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 c5 4 c3 Nc6 5 Nf3 Qb6
6 Bd3 cxd4 7 cxd4 Bd7 8 0-0 Nxd4 9 Nxd4
9 ... Qxd4 10 Nc3



10 ... a6



Guarding the b5 square.

11 Qe2



White is preparing for f2-f4-f5.

11 Kh1
11 Re1

11 ... Ne7



11 ... Rc8
11 ... Qh4
11 ... Qb6

12 Kh1



Unpinning the f2 pawn. Following 12 Rd1,
Black responds with 12 ... Nc6 13 Bxa6
13 ... Qxe5 14 Bxb7 [not 14 Qxe5? Nxe5
15 Bxb7 Rb8 16 Bxd5 exd5 17 Re1 f6
18 f4 Bc5+ 19 Kh1 d4 20 Nb1 Kf7 21 fxe5
21 ... Rhe8] 14 ... Qxe2 15 Nxe2 Rb8.

12 ... Nc6



13 f4



13 ... Nb4



The most expedient approach. Also acceptable is
13 ... Bc5 14 a3 Ba7 15 Bd2 g6, with complications.

14 Rd1



If White tries to retain the bishop by 14 Bb1,
Black can play 14 ... Qc4, followed by d5-d4-d3.

14 ... Nxd3



Although this move is more ambitious than 14 ... Bc5,
Black gets a pleasant game after the latter option:
15 Bxa6 Qf2 16 Qxf2 Bxf2 17 Bb5 Bc6.

15 Rxd3



15 ... Qb6!



Reserving c5 for the f8 bishop.

15 ... Qc4

16 Be3



16 ... Bc5



Since he's a pawn up, Black goes for piece trades.

16 ... Qc7

17 Bxc5



17 ... Qxc5



After closing up the c-file with Bd7-c6,
Black can even consider castling queenside.

18 f5



18 ... Bc6



Not 18 ... 0-0-0 permitting 19 Ne4! dxe4? 20 Rc3.

18 ... Bb5

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Enter your search terms Submit search form