Chess: Understanding the French Defense (Transpositionally) Part I

1 d4 Nc6 2 Nc3 d5 3 e4 e6 4 Nf3 Nf6 5 Bg5 Be7
6 Bxf6 Bxf6 7 Bb5 O-O 8 O-O Rb8 9 e5 Be7 Line



What's the game plan for White?

White pushes e2-e4 followed by e4-e5.
The idea is to enforce a central clamp.
For the future, he plans to fortify d4
(Nc3-e2 followed by c2-c3), and, if
possible, advance f2-f4-f5 in order to
undermine Black's pawn chain at its
base.

What's the game plan for Black?



Black fights for e4 and also sets himself up
for a timely ... c5 and ... f6. The idea is to
disrupt White's pawn chain.


1 d4



1 ... Nc6



1 ... d5 (A)
1. ... d5 (B)
1 ... d5 (C)
1 ... d5 (D)
1 ... d5 (E)

2 Nc3



2 e4
2 Nf3
2 c4
2 d5
2 Bg5

2 ... d5



2 ... e6
2 ... e5

3 e4



Taking a shot at d5.

3 g3
3 Nf3
3 Bf4
3 e3

3 ... e6



3 ... Nf6
3 ... dxe4
3 ... e5
3 ... a6

4 Nf3



White balances kingside and queenside mobilization.
The knight takes an interest in e5 and d4.

4 e5
4 Nge2
4 Be3
4 exd5

4 ... Nf6



Mobilization with attack. The e4 pawn is about
to be captured.

4 ... Bb4
4 ... dxe4
4 ... Nge7

5 Bg5



Pinning the knight to prevent
5 ... Nxe4/5 ... dxe4.

5 e5
5 exd5
5 Bd3

5 ... Be7



Black immediately attends to the pin
before it gets too troublesome.

5 ... Bb4
5 ... dxe4
5 ... a6

6 Bxf6



All for the love of e4. This capture gets
rid of a key contender for that square.

6 e5
6 Bd3
6 exd5

6 ... Bxf6



6 ... gxf6

7 Bb5



(i) Makes way for kingside castling.
(ii) Immobilizes the knight.

7 e5
7 Qd3
7 Qd2

7 ... O-O



Securing the King and unpinning the knight.

7 ... a6
7 ... Rb8

8 O-O



8 Qd2
8 e5
8 a3

8 ... Rb8



Black is anticipating Bxc6 followed by ... bxc6,
after which the rook gets a half open b-file.

8 ... g6
8 ... Kh8
8 ... a6
8 ... Be7
8 ... Nb8

9 e5



Enforcing a central clamp and also attacking
the bishop.

9 ... Be7



Avoiding capture and setting the stage for
the middle game.

By ChessCoach@care2.com

Enter your search terms Submit search form