Beating The French Defense with White

[@lucruijsink6512]

I've been looking for a strong reply to the French as white. Your video gave me a lot of insights, thanks!

[@sammojk]

I learnt this due to always struggling against the French. My next opponent OTB played French. The pawn sac really threw him, and he then played the same moves as per video up to move 14. I ended up winning thanks to this! I'll share the game next week.

[@kristofsiska8934]

Hey man, thank u for this upload, it rly helped me during my game today. I played against a 1800 (i´m 1000) and after 25th move he had to resing cuz i was threatning mate and his queen. So rly thank u man I appreciate your work.

[@fico0656]

Police: Anyone: 9:57

[@bezkapitalu]

xD

[@lifenote1943]

wow

[@tonnijmegen4575]

I have won several times with the french defense, but wanted to understand a good defence so I found this lesson. I saw it several times and finaly I could play it. Except for one other move I could follow the lesson till my knight move to f3 attacking the Queen. With minus 1 pon, the attack was great. After 23 moves it was done. Game set and match. Thanks.

[@WinterSkySun]

Really enjoyed the entire video all around, thanks a lot.

[@Querent2000]

Many thanks SuperChessGuru. This is an absolutely lethal line against the French.

[@susankielty3388]

Thanks for the video SuperChessGuru! I think this video helps show that the Tarrasch 3.Nd2 should be met with 3...c5 as Korchnoi always played against Karpov & co. without trouble. 3...Nf6 is just a bad fad that leads to very cramped positions.

[@kyleng4290]

It's called the Nunn-Korchnoi Gambit, after Grandmasters John Nunn and Viktor Korchnoi. Pretty cool.

[@naforever1]

Thanks man

[@williamsmith2947]

excellent analysis. Thanks.

[@hilbertshotel]

Really great video. Thanks for posting. Would love to see your response, as a French player, to this variation...

[@alessandrolaiacona5041]

Amazing video! Thank you!!

[@danno1800]

What a terrific idea! Thank you for explaining this so well

[@MADIFILMS]

Thanks for responding so adroitly to my request. A great video that I will study up on.

[@jradovich]

Thank you very much for an excellent and instructive video. Much appreciated.

[@tomekduresov706]

I watched this video week ago, and I played this variation 5 times in blitz (5 min), and so far my score is 100%, so, not bad..

[@mrkoolkevin]

Excellent video.

[@RobPalmer454]

I was hoping you would make a video for white against the french. Thanks!

[@3trilogy]

Great vid! Very instructive!

[@babulien]

I have used your advices for my own game. Thanks

[@TheWargamer66]

Great video, thanks!

[@chryckie]

Hey guy, I'm having trouble facing the ill-advised 12. ...Qxb2 that you mentioned at 9:20. It doubles their attack at e5, and I feel I waste a tempo reinforcing it. Anything else seems to return me to a queen exchange, but now two pawns down...

[@20joran20]

Great video!

[@thebabaul]

@Theta at 09:19 after black play .1..Qxb2 2.Bd4 Qb4 and black does not lose the queen. This gambit may be good for white in a blitz or bullet game but i wont play it with white having 2 pawns down in a long run.

[@RaffiTheQuokka]

Very interesting, thank you! subbed!

[@FromTheMountain]

Thanks for this video, I'm a big fan of the French defense myself and I'll go take a look at this variation!

[@OKMX5]

I know that feeling when you play French as black and are afraid to castle :D

[@Toxie207]

I agree that 3 ... c5 is probably the best move against the Tarrasch - Black gets a free game usually at the cost of an isolated pawn. I disagree however that 3 ... Nf6 is a fad. There are many better options for Black than 7 ... Qb6 which lead to rich and interesting (if sometimes cramped) positions.

[@fate0521]

very instructive thanks

[@rfgust]

Nd2 privates the white queen to watch over d4 and the bishop in pretty much everything, and since the knight's not on c3 I could just play Bd7 and after trade the light square bishops... also the king knight is not stuck, h3 is available and there's no way to prevent Nf5 or Ng4

[@HelloWorld-hf5it]

Hi! I played this opening against mY teammate He played mainline all the way until Nf3 Qb6. I won :) thanks for the video

[@Nicholas5c]

I've got to 9:35 several times and nobody ever goes qd4 I always get g6

[@CloudyMcCloud00]

Sorry to be dense, but can anyone explain to me why at 9.20, black cannot take on B2 (gaining a further pawn and isolating the A pawn)? Obviously the black queen can then be attacked with Bf4 or RaB1, but after Qe4 or Qc3 (attacking the undefended bishop) respectively, surely black gets away with it?

[@OHOHOHCOME]

I don't get why at 15:11 the black Q cannot take on e5. That defends both the g7 pawn and gains an piece.

[@jaroslavpors6559]

What about e4 e6 d4 d5 Nd2 a6!?

[@kingdomofloss1]

Instead of Nc6 if black plays b6 and then Ba6 targeting the light squared white bishop then?

[@scotthaskell5856]

What if at 8:10 black queen plays g4 i played a game exactly to this video but when he moved to g4 i moved my king side pawn and from then on I lost

[@georged8814]

I have enjoyed watching this video and learned from it. This is the Opening set-up I have been regularly using. For about a year, now, opponents have been playing the FD quite frequently against me, whereas in the past I never saw it! But: are my opponents on to something? Not one has ever accepted the gambit! They have played an early..b6; one even played 2..Be7 (I think it was on 2.), and now I have got 8...g6.

[@Sahakvic]

I actually love this position as black, because after the move 11. Qg4! you end up with a very tricky position where black is always slightly better.

[@xinia87]

+Sahakvic 12. h3 Qh5, 13. Qa4 Bc5, 14. Bb5...and Black's stuck in a zugswang...Bd2, Rac1, and b4 following for White and Black is in a world of hurt

[@xinia87]

+Sahakvic...or the other option is 12. h3 Qh5, 13. Qa4 Bc5, 14. Kh2 f5, 15. en-passant gf 16. Re1 e5, 17. g4 Qf7 18. Ne5 fe5, 19. Re5 Be7, 20. Be3 and White is on a mission

[@vinodjoshi9762]

great vedio

[@srikantann]

At 3:28, what if black pushes c4 instead of Nc6? That'd chase the bishop away and the c4 can be backed with b5 right?? please advice....

[@asfasdfsd8476]

Couldn't understand anything because his half empty battery icon was giving me anxiety the whole time

[@bluegreen009]

Fort knox variation is an effective reply to Nd2

[@philWynk]

I'm a weaker player -- rating between 1600 and 1700 online -- and I do not see the problem with Qxe5 at 15:18. Qxe5, Rxb7, planning Ra1-c1-c7? Nf3, planning Qf6 Bd4 or Qd6 Bf4, eventually taking on g7? Yes, white has play, but it's far from domination.

[@markcockerton6735]

Watson, a well known authority on the French Defence, in Play The French 4th edition suggests 7g6, 7f6, or 7h6, for Black, as well as describing 7Be7 as in good shape. There is no mention of 7Qb6. Although, admittedly a number of French Defence players may play 7Qb6 because it often a thematic move in a number of French Defence variations.

[@Pianoman8989]

this is called the Korchnoi Gambit btw

[@kontrapunkti]

I like your passionate style! I have played this variation also alot with white, with slight differences and move orders. And can confirm, it really is tricky for black, and is fun to play for white. BUT i need to say, it`s suitable only for attacking and tactical players. White can`t allow black to go in to a peaceful middle game...

[@wrathofpunjabi]

what about g6 by black and finachetto?

[@kenyudbzto]

Btw what's wrong with 12... Bc5 (with idea of castling next)?

[@khyven]

13..Qxb2! refutes this gambit. Play this move through with a computer and you soon realize that far from being a greedy pawn grab, this move actually removes a vital defender on the queenside! Black then obtains a nice post for the queen which allows black a great defense through active counterplay. Black can then force the trade of many pieces in many lines, leading to a won endgame with a monster protected passed pawn on d5.

[@gabrielgruner5918]

8:10 - - what if black moves the queen to g4 instead of b6??

[@mogyorospusztai]

@khyven when do you take on b2? Obviously you can't take at 09:19 as you will lose your queen immediately after Bd4. I don't see any other move 13 when you can take the pawn safely and even hope to win.

[@rean000]

Hi. What if Qe7+ on 1:42... Is it best to Ne5 and then sacrifice the knight?

[@LJLMETAL]

Nice variation

[@rodolfonasini2707]

What's wrong with 4 ... a6?

[@OHOHOHCOME]

I don't get how that line is refutable. Please give us the solution. I faced an opponent who did that today and I lost pretty harshly.

[@benjaminjoseph4403]

haha this guy is so passionate about this opening

[@MyMPPM]

SuperChessGURU do you give Armis lessons too?

[@NeilEVarga]

3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 cxd4! 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Bc4 Qd6 transposes to an important main line with a lot of theory. (5.Nxd4 Nc6! often resembles a good Paulsen Sicilian.) Arguably this is the most principled approach as it annihilates the pawn center for a potential long-term positional advantage in return for White's temporary development lead. The Guimard (3...Nc6!?) is also interesting and has its own dangerous ideas. 4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.e5 Nd7 6.c3 f6!? 7.Bb5! is a sharp main line.

[@volodymyrstepanov7068]

After 12. Qa4 and Black response Be2, if White continue Be3 as suggested, Stockfish says the Black Queen can safely grab another pawn on B2 with -0.5 assessment and then proceed to win the central pawn on e5, hmmm....

[@aahantulshan3571]

Super chess guru thank you. Amazing and convincing analysis.

[@SuperChessGURU]

Tell that to Victor Korchnoi.

[@SmilingIbis]

That's just one line among many possibilities. It's not bad, but I still prefer 3. Nc3 to the Tarrasch.

[@donaldthump6118]

can you please do a video on how to defeat the nimzo Indiana.I LOVE THIS VARIATION I WIN MOST FRENCH GAMES WITH THIS

[@bishesh8132]

after white bishop d3 what if black plays queen b6? it is a pawn sacrifice either way

[@VladChess]

This is a great and articulate presentation. Would you mind sharing your credentials? The reason I am asking is because you seem like a very strong player and I would like to check out some of your games in a database. Thumbs up for the video!

[@Roastedhellokitty]

What would you do if on move 12 black plays Bc5. Good video anyway. :)

[@Nubian42]

at 15:15 why white has no fear of blacks taking on the pawn?

[@Ariking777]

Black can play Qxe5, but white can then play Qxg7, and the black pawn lost on g7 is way more significant than the white one on e5.

[@AlejandroMatos]

it would be awesome if you could share the png files you used for the video :)

[@sammojk]

Question What to play if black plays Be7 before the exchanges? Ie with whites spare move?

[@tysonlind7626]

Why wouldn't black take the pawn on E5 on move 20? It's protecting G7, attacking the knight and winning a pawn. I tried looking for a tactical weakness from this, but the queen is not so easy to kick and regain material. Nf3 can be met with Qf6, still protecting G7 and now black completely controls the center pawn-wise and should be able to stabilize. I'm probably missing something, though. I only ran through 4 or 5 variations in my head. Any thoughts?

[@tysonlind7626]

I see. Thanks :)

[@xhuili]

can you get a video on dxe4 after nd2

[@عقلحر-م6ب]

please do more vedios

[@1nf4m0uz]

Why not play Nxe5 instead of rerouting to Nb8? if white plays Nxe5 you could just play d4 to fork the bishop and rook.

[@babulien]

I'm playing two games at the same time with the same sequence as you explain after 12 moves! Do you play on the web? what is your avatar?

[@samchen8628]

whats ur rating

[@VladChess]

I think he addressed the question in the video. You should be able to "refute" Qg4 yourself rather easily.

[@skarpo6763]

Sir,why did the knight not take the rook on b3 after Rc7? at 17:12

[@DenisKurek1]

rxd7 queen has to move, then rxb7 and then after king moves rxb3

[@VladChess]

what is your level of play? you need to keep in mind that GM lines are not very popular at club level and vice-versa.

[@j.j.cauble6656]

What if on move 13...black moves queen to B2? New to chess here but thanks for the help...

[@saudkhan2870]

thanks, it really helpful video. i want to ask what is the correct line if black didnt not capture pawn C5xd4 but move to C5 to C4. pls give answer and tag me

[@zacharycat]

Good video, but white also needs to know what to do on 7. Ngf3 Be7 8. O-O g5 which is how Nakamura plays it for black.

[@stephenstreet1045]

I have only been studying chess in any depth for a few months now and I can follow chess analysis reasonably well for my ability I think but it is a little frustrating when comments are made like "c5, black MUST play this" at only move 4 with no explanation as to why. I see no obvious reason why this must be played and it would be great to have things like this explained. No doubt it's perfectly obvious and trivial to strong players but it has mystified me and kind of puts me off watching any further.

[@junkasan7253]

the more you learn the more you will understand.in this case, black needs the pawn break. Pawn breaks is an important positional concept in chess.generally,you want to make your pawn breaks where your pawns are pointing

[@RayT70]

What to do after 3. Nd2 c5 followed by Qxd5?

[@jaylenlenear8492]

whats your rating ?

[@NicolasWarren]

can you post your pgn of this game please?

[@WashingtonJohnson]

Okay, for us people who have NOT played chess in a good long while, where do first get the chess software to start actually playing and learning the game again? That would most helpful.

[@56dlp]

You can join chess dot com for free and start playing good players immediately. If you are looking for a good chess program, the shop at uschess dot org has good selection but maybe a bit more expensive than other places. Don't worry to much about which program is the best because any chess program plays at an extremely strong level and will quickly exploit your bad moves. Even a small hand held battery operated radio shack chess computer from 10 years ago plays at a master level. To start, you can download the Tarrasch Chess GUI with Rybka for free. Just do a quick google search for it.

[@WashingtonJohnson]

56dlp Hey thanks for the tips and leads to getting back into playing chess again.We do have a chess club here where l live and they are always looking for new people to join and learn how to play against better players.

[@JamieTransNyc]

To get to the main point of this video, skip ahead to 2:30

[@Avygeil]

6:40 "Black doesn't have any better move than to take the pawn" In fact Be7 is better, developping a piece and preparing to castle. After 8. 0-0 Be7, White still cannot protect the pawn and has to play dxc5 to not lose it. And even before that, 7. ... Be7 instead of Qb6 is more flexible. From that position, Black could go Qb6, or g5, or even a5. Still, this is an interesting game on how things can go wrong if development is neglected, even for the solid French defense.

[@gringobilbo]

in the opening...what if he takes 4. cxd4 5. Nxe4 e5 ....6. Nf3 Nc6 ....? what would you recommend? I Always wanna take back on d4 first with a pawn....dunno why ^^

[@solosaroman]

One thing,it is only a french defense if Black chuses to play,so way play a bad opening if it is so easily destroyed by white?

[@mpeer007]

It is not so easily destroyed by white. This is just an example of how it could be. You could use any opening from either side of the board and fund good examples of how some master tore it apart.

[@0000thief]

Black is playing far too passive here. I usually play 3...c5 4.ed5 Qd5 where black gets active game or something like f6, where white sometimes obtain small advantage, but it s playable.

[@newton296]

yes c5 is a main line ! maybe the best french player of all time (korchnoi) played this line and thought it best ! I also play the french and can tell c5 is very strong line!

[@meenarani3324]

if after d5 nd2 black plays c5

[@acchen7458]

You should go over the main line if black doesn't play Qb6 because 2000 up players normally don't play that they play like g6 and f6 against me. But overall great Video!

[@Jaepheth]

Need to beat a French Defense? Go through the Ardennes. >.>

[@druisteen]

Ardennes are in Belgium

[@RubenHogenhout]

Oh really'?

[@rRunner266]

I dont agree with you guys. Actually after 3... c5 4.exd5 Qxd5!? can be played, not allowing an IQP. Im a french playee and I find this the most succesful variation against the tarrasch defensr.

[@georged8814]

Oops--I meant 7...g6.

[@locutusdborg126]

Historically, the French's defense has been to surrender (*_*). Good lesson. Thanks. I like the white bishop's placement on d3, eyeing down a certain black pawn for a well-known, but still effective, sacrifice and mating sequence.

[@jaredgroderchessking]

Hey Kevin this might be a strange favor to ask but can you make a video on the French Defense Steiner Variation for white, which is 1. e4 e6 2. c4?