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πΉ French Defense Tricks & Traps –
β Find the variations shown in the video in this blog-post –
Are you looking for a solid chess opening to thwart White’s 1.e4? In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov will teach you the French Defense, a reliable choice for Black.
While the move 1…e5 as Black is the most popular response to 1.e4, it comes with its own set of challenges, primarily facing various aggressive openings and gambits from White. One key vulnerability in the 1…e5 setup is the pawn on f7, only defended by the king, making it a prime target for White’s attacks.
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The Strength of the French Defense
This is where the French Defense comes into play. By playing 1…e6, Black instantly eliminates the threat to the f7 pawn, providing a solid and robust foundation for the game. The next move, 2…d5, further solidifies Black’s position by blocking the central e4-pawn.
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The “Fort Knox” Variation
A key challenge in the French Defense is developing the bishop on c8, which often finds itself locked behind the e6 pawn. This lesson provides a solution by introducing the Fort Knox variation in the Rubinstein Variation. This approach involves developing the c8-bishop to c6 via d7. The bishop on c6 plays an active role in controlling key central squares and putting pressure on White’s position.
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βΊ Chapters
00:00 Best Chess Opening for Black Against 1.e4
00:07 French Defense: Why is it better than 1…e5?
01:32Β French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, Fort Knox Variation
03:23 1) If White plays 8.Nxf6+
05:01 2) If White plays 8.Bg5
07:37 2.2) Black’s middlegame plan to attack in the center
10:29 3) If White plays 8.Ng3 (best move)
11:48 4) If White plays 8.Re1
13:01 Important positional tip
14:18 3.exd5, Exchange Variation
14:50 3.e5, Advance Variation
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Please make a detailed tutorial on alekhine defence from black's perspective.
βΊ Chapters
00:00 Best Chess Opening for Black Against 1.e4
00:07 French Defense: Why is it better than 1…e5?
01:32 French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, Fort Knox Variation
03:23 1) If White plays 8.Nxf6+
05:01 2) If White plays 8.Bg5
07:37 2.2) Black's middlegame plan to attack in the center
10:29 3) If White plays 8.Ng3 (best move)
11:48 4) If White plays 8.Re1
13:01 Important positional tip
14:18 3.exd5, Exchange Variation
14:50 3.e5, Advance Variation
Please do a video on the pirc defense how to win with it
Igor you don't like Caro kann
Why take the knight on f3 with the bishop? Is it better to retake with knight and keep the bishop pair?
Is very complicated. I don't feel protected with enough.
Hey Igor please make a vedio on caro kan defence from both white and Black's perspective…
I like the way you teach chess
I always play French defense against this and have done really well.
My rating is stuck .
I would appreciate your help just 2 minutes of your time.
Account: XDeathNote3n
I prefer to play the Scandinavian (modern variation) as black with which I win a vast majority of games. But I struggle when that transposes into the advanced French defense.
I f*** love these videos, finding my self playing a lot more chess lately π /thanks
I always love how Igor says "bishop."
Rousseau Gambit: cries in the corner
I'm in 1600s, and if they go e4 I go d5 every time. If they take I capture with the queen and then go back to Qd8. If they don't take I push d5 to d4. Works out for me every time. Apparently it's some Scandinavian defense move but I don't know all that chess theory, my style of playing just making sure all my pieces are constantly defended unless I'm setting traps for knight forks or something.
"Thank you Igor, never heard of this one; I used the Sicilian, guess I'm still and armature!"
Best reason for learning the French is you're learning a great response for d4 too!
If Bg5, and BxNf3 then white has Qd2 and the black queen is trapped
Really great video. Thank you so much!
Rip French Winawer, its the most fun variation of the French, maybe do a advanced video about the Winawer its pretty fun
Why everyone opens up the same?
These are really excellent videos, thank you. I have bought one of your courses, but haven't got time to really study – so these detailed videos are a real delight.
Great video. Right away trying out this opening as black. But of course first two matches I got this line:
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. e5 ??
White pushes the pawn. Then Nf6 not possible. Just continue with Bd7 .. Bc6 ? What is a good continuation if white plays e5 ?
Igor, most of my opponents play e5. Then I can't take on e4. Thanks for suggestions
ππ
I donβt like playing the Spanish or the Italian or the scotch as black.
So I go 1β¦c6
It looks like itβs time for me to review my French games.
Pawn by white on 3rd move to c4 , I run into that a lot
Hello
Hello you had a big Blinder in this video
You need check this video
Watch this video in 4.43
How do we deal with an early check on the king from the light square bishop?
But what if my opponent plays 1.e4 e6 2.e5