French Defence expert John Watson has reinvigorated some little-explored and shocking systems for both White and Black in this popular, well tested opening. In 14 chapters of illustrative games and analysis he reveals ideas which will slow down your opponent and take them "out-of-book" at an early stage. For White there are original ideas in both the 3.Nd2 and 3.Nc3 variations. For Black Watson has some ingenious schemes after 3.Nc3, 3.e5 and 3.Nd2. Each chapter has illustrative games followed by analysis and concluding with a risk assessment of the recommended system of play. John Watson is a highly respected and popular chess author with titles such as Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy and Play the French to his name. Pub. 2007, softback, 320 pages.
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Here, at last, is the latest edition of John Watson's best-selling opening monograph. In it he offers a repertoire for Black, in the French Defence, usually arming the reader with not one, but two and sometimes three alternative lines against any main White option. For this 3rd edition he has thoroughly revised most chapters in light of modern theoretical developments. Included, for the first time, are chapters on the Classical French and the Tarrasch with 3..Be7 as well as 3..c5. In the 7.Qg4 Winawer he advocates 7..0-0 for Black whilst the chapter on the 6..Qc7 Winawer has been re-written by Norwegian FM Hans Olav Lahlum. Systems covered include: the Advance Variation with 5..Qb6 and 5..Bd7, the Exchange System, King's Indian Attack, Tarrasch 3..c5 / 3..Be7, Winawer (5 Chapters including 7..Qg4, 0-0, 6..Qc7 and earlier alternatives for White) and the Classical System with 4.e5 and 4.Bg5. This is a welcome book for newcomers wishing to add the French Defence to their openings armoury but also for hardened French Defence devotees who should find plenty of original analysis and refreshing suggestions inside. Includes index of variations. John Watson is an International Master and author of many popular books including "Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy". Pub. 2003, softback, 272 pages.
Every chess player loves to win early in the game with a deadly combination or a cunning trap. On the other hand, nobody wants to be tricked by his opponent before the game has really started. The chess opening is a minefield. The popular series Tactics in the Chess Opening teaches casual players and club players how to recognize opportunities to attack early in the game. You will also learn how to avoid standard pitfalls in the opening.
This book explains, in more than 230 carefully selected and annotated games, all the tactical themes and typical traps of the main lines in the French Defence, the Caro-Kann, the Pirc and the Scandinavian Defence. After studying these brilliant surprise attacks, or just enjoying them, the adventurous chess player will win more games. Pub. 2005, softback, 240 pages.
The Advance System (1,e4,e6; 2.d4,d5; 3.e5,) is White's most direct choice against the French Defence. Author Sam Collins has selected and annotated 69 games to provide the reader with enough information to play the Advance french with confidence. The book begins with an introduction to key concepts in the French Advance followed by nine chapters of theory looking at Blacks 5th move alternatives: 5..Qb6; 5..Bd7; 5..Nge7 and irregular lines. The book is written primarily from the point of view of the reader wanting to take up the White side but the analysis is objective. International Master Sam Collins has represented Ireland in three Olympiads and is a chess coach who has lectured at Berkeley Chess School in California. Pub. 2006, softback, 176 pages.
The main body of this book covers the Advance Variation including 5..Qb6; 5..Bd7; 5..Nge7; and 5..Nh6. There are chapters on the Milner Barry Gambit, 6.a3, and 6.Be2, following 5..Qb6; by Black. The second section of the book looks at the Exchange Variation, King's Indian Attack, Wing Gambit and other rare options for White. Coverage is via numbered variations (B21, C3 etc.) with game fragments quoted in the analysis as well as text explanation. Index of variations included. Steffen Pedersen is a Danish IM and author of several highly-regarded books on chess openings. Pub. 2005, softback, 143 pages.
Chess Informant languageless book which analyses the system with 1.e4,e6; 2.d4,d5; 3.Nd2,Nf6. The first part summarises current theory in tabular form similar to the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings layout. Part 2 contains 100 illustrative games from master play. Authoritative coverage from GM Bareev. Pub. 1995, softback, 151 pages.
Detailed analysis of the French Tarrasch Variation (1.e4,e6; 2.d4,d5; 3.Nd2,) in three sections. Part 1 examines lines where Black plays 3..c5; Part 2 looks at 3..Nf6; for Black whilst Part 3 analyses rarer Black options such as 3..Be7; 3..a6; and 3..Nc6. Coverage is via numbered variations (B11, D23 etc.) with game fragments quoted in the analysis as well as text explanation. Index of variations included. Steffen Pedersen is a Danish IM and author of several highly-regarded books on chess openings. Pub. 2005, softback, 191 pages.
The French is a sound and resilient defence, which also provides abundant opportunities for counterplay. As a result it has been favoured by such great fighting players as Lasker, Botvinnik and Korchnoi. Current adherents include Short, Shirov, Morozevich and Khalifman. By playing 3 Nc3, White confronts the French head-on. The upshot is often a ferocious battle as Black tries to destroy or damage White's central pawn phalanx. Some of the variations, such as the notorious Winawer Poisoned Pawn, are among the sharpest in opening theory. However, both sides have quieter, more positional, options at their disposal, so there is truly something for everyone in the Main Line French. This book, the first of two volumes by Pedersen on the French, covers all lines after 3 Nc3, including the Winawer (Nimzowitsch), Classical (including the Steinitz), MacCutcheon and Guimard Variations. There is also a full discussion of 3...dxe4, a move that has found favour among those seeking to avoid theory. Pub. 2001, softback, 256 pages.
The Classical French is back in fashion with GMs as a sound attempt for Black to unbalance the position. Here, in 78 extensively annotated games, the author analyzes the position after 1.e4,e6; 2.d4,d5; 3.Nc3,Nf6; focusing on White's main attempts 4.e5 and 4.Bg5. He covers the Modern Main Line, Old Main Line, Burn and MacCutcheon systems and the Albin-Chatard Attack as well early deviations. Each chapter has an index of variations and summary of bast play in what is a balanced coverage showing both sides possibilities. Pub. 2001, softback, 176 pages.
This book concentrates on the position after 1.e4,e6; 2.d4,d5; 3.Nc3,Nf6; 4.Bg5,Be7; 5.e5,Nfd7; 6.Bxe7,Qxe7; and has an interesting format in which each chapter consists of notes, games and variations. Notes is a brief explanation of each side's strategy and is followed by an illustrative, annotated games section and finally a summary of the possible lines of play for that chapter. There's enough here to enable you to take up the Classical French from either side. Pub. 1998, softback, 185 pages.
This is the fourth and final volume of Lev Psakhis's monumental work on the French Defence. Following on from his survey of the Winawer Variation (Volume 3), the author analyses Black's alternative responses to 3.Nc3. In addition to the Steinitz Variation (3...Nf6 4 e5) and the Classical System (3...Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7), this volume incorporates the Rubinstein, Burn and MacCutcheon Systems, all of which have seen an upsurge of interest in recent years. The book presents a wealth of illustrative games by Viswanathan Anand, Alexei Shirov, Alexander Grischuk, Jan Timman, Viktor Korchnoi and other leading players, critically annotated with the most up-to-date theoretical refinements. An enthusiastic devotee of the French Defence for over 20 years now, Psakhis remains objective in his judgements, so whether you play the French with White or Black, this is the most authoritative and comprehensive guide available today. Grandmaster Lev Psakhis is a former Soviet Champion, now living in Israel. He acts as trainer to the world's No.1 female player Judit Polgar. Pub. 2004, softback, 223 pages.
This volume in the series covers lines of the French Defence after 1.e4,e6; 2.d4,d5; 3.Nc3. Part one considers unusual 3rd moves for Black, including 3..Nc6; Part two examines the Rubinstein Variation after 3..dxe4; whilst part three analyses the Steinitz Variation after 3..Nf6; 4.e5. 4.Bg5, is not included as it does not presently feature in the repertoire of Vishy Anand. As usual the analysis is extensive and up-to-date (6 chapters on the Rubinstein and 8 chapters on the Steinitz Variation). Author Alexander Khalifman was the 14th FIDE World Champion. Pub. 2006, softback, 345 pages.
Analysis and illustrative games in the French MacCutcheon (1.e4,e6; 2.d4,d5; 3.Nc3,Nf6; 4.Bg5,Bb4). The book aims to establish the viability of this line for Black and offers ideas for the second player against White's most important 5th and 6th move alternatives. Author James Eade is an ICCF Correspondence Chess Master. Pub. 1991, softback, 86 pages.
This detailed analysis of all lines after 1.e4,e6; 2.d4,d5; 3.Nc3,Bb4 completes Lev Psakhis' trilogy covering the whole of the French Defence. The analysis is based around 27 complete master games with copious notes and includes many sidelines examined in the annotations. The eleven chapters provide coverage of rare 4th moves including 4.a3 & 4.Ne2 and the main line 4.e5, including 6..Ba5; and 6..Bxc3+; 7.a4, 7.Nf3 and 7.Qg4 with extensive analysis of the currently popular 7..0-0. Grandmaster Lev Psakhis is a former Soviet Champion, coach to Judith Polgar and a lifetime practitioner of the French Defence. Pub. 2003, softback, 256 pages.
The Winawer (3…Bb4) is one of the most dangerous variations of the French Defence - for both sides! Coverage in this book is via 48 complete, annotated games which, between them, examine almost every possible variation. Part one of the book looks at main lines after 7.Qg4, 7.Nf3 and 7.a4 whilst part two deals with 5…Ba5, White's 4th and 5th move alternatives and systems where Black avoids 4…c5. A useful manual for both sides. pub. 2000, softback, 144 pages.
Book 7 in the series analyses the position after 1.e4,e6; d4,d5; 3.Nc3,Bb4; 4.e5, the Winawer Variation of the French Defence. Variations covered include 4..b6; 4..Ne7; 4..c5; 5.a3, Ba5; and 4..c5; 5.a3,Bxc3+; 6.bxc3, with 6..Qc7; 6..Ne7; and, in both cases, White playing 7.Qg4, the critical test. After 7.Qg4; Khalifman examines both 7..Qc7; and 7..0-0. As usual, both presentation and analysis are excellent and up-to-date and maintain the standard of this excellent series. In a "White Repertoire" series there is bound to be a certain bias, in the sense of looking for moves which may bring White an advantage, but the author's self respect and stature ensure that objectivity is maintained in the analysis. Pub. 2006, softback, 280 pages.
