Attack with Black in the French defense: Advance variation

[@physics2112]

Like or Dislike: Like. This video's going in my Favorites -- the ideas in it are gold. In some lines, you delay playing ...Qb6 -- but I often play this before ...Nc6 to discourage Bb4 messing up my plans for the knight. Is this a matter of stylistic preference or is there a principled reason to bring the knight out before the queen?

[@BadBishopChess]

Thank you! I added my answer to your question in description of the video. Mainly, it narrows down to these two reasons to opt for Nge7 instead of Qb6 (or Bd7): (1) Our Queen is sometimes better on d8! The difference I find important is that in the line starting with 6...Qb6, you can't always achieve what we want after White eventually takes our knight on f5 (with their d3-Bishop). We don't always want our Queen on b6 after playing e6xf5. For example, if we want to support our g7-g5 afterward, our Queen may be needed on d8. So, for that purpose alone, we don't want our Queen to be on b6. (2) White can't play the Milner-Barry Gambit! This updated gambit is becoming a real nightmare for Black lately, and some really strong players now have it in their repertoire against the French Defense. If you play 6...Bd7 or 6...Qb6, the gambit is possible, but in the case of 6...Nge7, there is no way that White can use its ideas. It simply transposes to the main line presented in this video. When it comes to the move white can play - Bb5, it doesn't really pose anything to worry about. Any moment they trade on c6, it only improves Black's position, and makes your pawns (and center control) better - after bxc6. You should welcome their Bb5 move instead. :)

[@cyansaber0024]

@@BadBishopChess I’ve never thought about the advance in this way before and I agree that the Milner-Barry gambit is becoming a serious problem in the French especially against strong Juniors who are tactical monsters

[@geethuvarghese9103]

True.. I never loved French advance variation.. As all the vedios I watched made me feel it's too complicated or makes one's position easily compromised.. I am pleased to inform u that man, u did a great job here.. Now I am fascinated n want to try out the French for the 1st tym in my life. 😊

[@theinacircleoftheancientpu492]

Qb6 also allows dc5 with tempo. I know nothing, but acknowledgement of it being a bit forcing after Ne7 is worthwhile.

[@DarkLevis]

Awesome explanation. Not just showing moves and saying "when they play this you play this" but really explaining well.

[@ChessOpeningsGuy]

I like it. I was speaking with a GM trainer recently. He said he could tell the difference between weaker and stronger players. Weaker players would ask, "Show me a line." Stronger players would ask, "Give me some ideas." This video has some good ideas. I'm off to my Chess Openings Wizard to enhance my French repertoire. :)

[@MrJayDubYuh]

Me Too !

[@ThiloBauer]

So glad I discovered your channel. Previously (haha, correction: the last 50 years) I switched between 5. ... Bd7 and 5. ... Qb6, not daring to play 5. ... Nge7 while in fear of the doubled f-pawn. Now I'll give it a try!

[@cyansaber0024]

Incredible video! I’ve been playing the French as my main opening for years and I’ve never been able to see the plans and ideas with such clarity!

[@franck777]

Excellent video, going deeper that what we usually see and with great explainations!

[@valec9186]

Nobody explains even quite complex opening ideas as clear as you. Good job!

[@remycarrard3414]

every French player would want a teacher like him! 😅

[@marek4639]

Wonderful, thanks!

[@lb3598]

excellent explanations. thank you

[@DrSergioValdez]

Super Excellent video!

[@DrSergioValdez]

Thanks!

[@praneethmaduranga4910]

Thank you so much ❤

[@kesetokaiba]

Informational video as always!

[@BadBishopChess]

Glad you think so!

[@The_Sigmas170]

​@@BadBishopChessSir please make a detail video on Catalan, Berlin and Italian

[@marcomonti5758]

Very good lesson!

[@Itacarebr]

Thank you.

[@Geelse_zot]

Great video as always! You really make me want to start studying the French defence :)

[@BadBishopChess]

Glad that you like it! Before I reviewed these lines and my analysis from the past, I thought the main line gets Black into a bit worse position when White plays perfectly. And preparing for the video, I realised that the engine actually likes Black (it is really equal), and it is perfectly sound variation. :)

[@Geelse_zot]

I think it's fascinating how much impact it can have in this opening to have a bit more understanding of the plans. The knights really seem to dance over the board in the French defence, on both sides @@BadBishopChess

[@faznaz7455]

@@BadBishopChessThe crazy thing is that i started playing this line in blitz games when i was in my teenage years almost a decade ago and now i recently picked it up. I love the kingside attack options, those games are my favourite.

[@plebproductions7503]

I really like your French Videos, you explain all the strategic ideas very well. Could you make one covering the Morozevich variation the the Tarrasch French? Thank you and keep the good work up.

[@BadBishopChess]

Morozevich variation may indeed be a good idea for a video. I will do it at some point for sure. Thank you for the idea!

[@derekm3309]

Спасибо за видео!

[@cenkgencer239]

Good for intermediate players

[@pasalex-nh3pd]

Hello, Strange at 07 min 14 sec, the computer evaluation is "equal for Black" dispite the weak d5 pawn

[@BadBishopChess]

Thank you for the info. I wouldn't even check it with the engine. It is strategically terrible.

[@hanselbig7701]

There is another interestiong idea which is after c5 and nf3 we play a6 and play immediately bb5 exanging white bishop and if he takes than we take with a5 and controling c4 a4 squares

[@BadBishopChess]

Is this the line you are referring to: 4...Bd7 5. Nf3 a6 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Bb5?

[@hanselbig7701]

@@BadBishopChess exactly! white should play precisely to take an edge

[@LesChats1991]

What I learned from this video is that the French is basically lost for white.

[@BadBishopChess]

😄 But that still doesn't make this channel to look like Remote Chess Academy, does it? The line when White goes for h4 instead of castling is slightly better for White, but great majority of players don't know that plan.

[@SchaakAttack]

What do you recommend against Bb5? This is a very nice overview, thanks.

[@faznaz7455]

6:01 Do you recommend something against g4 here. It look quite unpleasant for black if they have to put the knight on h6 then white can follow it up with Ne3 and black is struggling there.

[@BadBishopChess]

Good question. Usually when there is Be7, Nh4 is an option in case of g4. What do you think of that move?

[@SchaakAttack]

What do you recommend against 6.Bb5? This is a really nice overview, thanks.

[@BadBishopChess]

Thanks. You can play whatever you want, that bishop on b5 doesn't do anything. If you want to play Qb6, that adds pressure on d4 and on the b5-bishop, or you just continue with Nf5 if you want (I think that's what I'd do). Playing an immediate a6, asking them what is that bishop doing there - is also fine. :)