Chess Openings: Learn to Play the French Defense!

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Chess Openings: Learn to Play the French Defense!
The French Defense is considered to be one of the best chess openings for black against e4. The French Defense has been played at the grandmaster level for decades and has been played by players such as Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Anatoly Karpov, Mikhail Tal, Viktor Korchnoi, Anish Giri, and Ian Nepomniachtchi! The biggest chess player in the world right now playing the French Defense is Ian Nepomniachtchi as the French Defense has good chess strategy, chess ideas, chess moves, chess theory, chess principles, chess traps, chess tricks to win fast! The French Defense begins with the following moves:
1. e4 e6
In today's video, we will be covering the French Defense in depth including the Advance Variation, Exchange Variation, Winawer Variation, and the Tarrasch Variation from the black perspective. The French Defense is a great chess opening for chess beginners as it teaches good chess opening strategy and chess opening theory which can help you win games fast! The French Defense is also one of the hardest chess openings to play against, as it is such a top tier opening. Why is the French Defense a top tier opening? Many believe the French Defense to be passive and slow, when in reality it is one of the strongest openings in all of chess. Many chess players hate playing against the French Defense because it is hard to attack yet difficult to defend against. The French Defense is solid but gives room for potential attacking chances. Next to the Sicilian Defense, the French Defense may be the most common chess opening for black in tournaments today, led by none other than Ian Nepomniatchi! The French Defense is the classic example in chess of low risk, high reward. This chess opening video was made to prepare you for any French Defense Variation, including the Tarrasch Variation, Winawer Variation, Exchange Variation, and Advance Variation! Here are the timestamps for each of these French Defense Variations!
Advance Variation: 1:20
Exchange Variation: 6:37
Winawer Variation: 9:25
Tarrasch Variation: 19:53
The French Defense is one of the greatest chess openings and a great way to beat higher rated players and improve your chess fast! We hope you enjoy learning how to play the French Defense!
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[@user-or1cm3sv4m]

I just found this channel and it's so underrated

[@grzegorzrobaczyk5264]

Absolutely

[@dorto7779]

Yeah I found it when he released the Ponziani video a little while ago and have watched almost every video since. I used to just play 1.e4 as White and then other random moves but now J know more openings I'm finding chess way more fun

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks brotha, I really do appreciate the kind words.

[@randyking9489]

I agree. Just found channel. Good easy to follow explanations. Smooth delivery

[@earlchristensen4795]

What is the most bizarre and unorthodox opening?

[@theawesomelogan6729]

the french will always have a place in my heart. it was my main opening for the longest time and im coming back to it and seeing a lot of success

[@TheChessGiant]

That's awesome Logan! Good stuff!

[@dkpandey1996]

Man, your opening videos are great. It's a great way for someone, who has never played these openings, to become acquainted with common ideas and themes.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you so much Devendra!

[@prakasavigraha6104]

I love your teaching style Solomon. Don't change it for anyone or anything.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Prakasa! Very nice complement and I appreciate. Don't worry, I am not going anywhere.

[@musicbydanny6925]

Been waiting for this for a very long time

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you enjoyed it! More French Defense videos on the way!

[@grzegorzrobaczyk5264]

Yess. Nice one Solomon

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Grzegorz! We are excited to be posting some more big openings in the coming weeks and months!

[@scottjasper5424]

That is an awesome exchange French line. I have been looking for a different way to play that. Thank you, Solomon 🙏

[@TheChessGiant]

No problem Scott! Ya I find it really fun and most players as white don't suspect it!

[@TomBrooklyn]

Hi Chess Giant. 🎉. The way you go over the moves a second time in the video is very good teaching technique! 😊 Thanks. ❤

[@Dezmond385]

This is impressive! How did I miss this all these years?

[@TheChessGiant]

The French Defense is a brick wall. Glad you enjoyed the video brotha!

[@andrewcarter7503]

Thanks. I play the French a lot and find that most times opponents at my level - c1650 on lichess - play the exchange variation simply because they don't know any theory and it's the easiest move.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Andrew, I wasn't aware that it was so common! Although I suppose that makes sense, for a long time I wasn't sure what to do with the French so I played the Exchange as well. If you want a couple tools against the Exchange Variation, I'll drop that video below. No pressure at all to watch, but if you do, let me know what you think! French Defense Against Exchange Variation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXqoo4ulfc1lppY

[@mikethomas6566]

Love the French! I figured you’d go with the Winawer for 3.Nc3 - just awesome dynamic play for both sides. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike!

[@arshanalam6186]

Absolutely loved the video and the idea that you gave

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you man! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DadOnHisOwn]

You make great videos - I cant understand why you arent getting more views!

[@ldgaming4213]

OMG ITS HERE! I LOVE YOUR OPENING VIDEOS!!!

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayyy thanks man! We love making them! More French Opening videos coming soon!

[@malusmundus-9605]

Chess giant is the place to learn openings fr

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you brotha. Much love 🙏

[@skyeruddell3196]

Excellent, thank you so much!

[@TheChessGiant]

You're very welcome!

[@user-qi9ux5ru3e]

Love the way you repeat and summarise each line - it really helps get it into my dumb head 😅😅

[@JustinPoggioArtworks]

Loving this - you got a new sub! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy thanks brotha! Welcome!

[@glubes]

Thanks good learning

[@TheChessGiant]

Of course! More on the way!

[@fanoflanguages7278]

The Blackburne defense is very useful because it is easy to play and very solid. I have heard the Fort Knox variation is also very solid. Do you plan to make a video on that variation?

[@TheChessGiant]

That's a good variation! I should make a video on that thanks for the recommendation!

[@TheDitronik]

1. e4 e6 2. d3 { C00 French Defense: King's Indian Attack } d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. dxe4 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Qc2 b6 7. h3 Bb7 8. Ngf3 Qc7 9. Be2 O-O-O 10. a4 g6 11. a5 Nxa5 12. Rxa5 bxa5 13. O-O Ne7 14. Nc4 Nc6 15. Qa4 f6 16. e5 Be7 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. Ng5 Rhe8 19. Bg4 Bxg5 20. Bxg5 Rd5 21. Bf4 Qxf4 22. Nb6+ axb6 23. Qxf4 Kd7 24. Qf7+ Re7 25. Bxe6+ Kd8 26. Qf8+ Kc7 27. Bxd5 { Black resigns. } 1-0

[@drraghuveerchoudhary436]

Very informative

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! Any more French Defense content you'd like to see? (Specific lines/variations?)

[@RedSword69]

Hi Solomon, I'd like to hear you on the Chigorin variation of the French Defense (I cannot find any video of it on your channel (there is the Chigorin defense though). It is statistically very good (@ Lichess).

[@suspiciousnerdwithligma6855]

To be honest, this video is quite long. It is such an exotic opening.

[@edralenchukeechua4513]

Thank, looking forward to more french

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Edralen! More on the way!

[@lionelbowhunter468]

Ahhhhhh thx Solomon!! Great defense, my fav defense ! Greeting from France ^^

[@TheChessGiant]

Nice Lionel! The French Defense is a great opening, and that's cool you play it as you're from France! Out of curiosity, is it super popular over there? I am from the United States, and we don't have a "American Defense" or anything like that so I was just curious!

[@lionelbowhunter468]

@@TheChessGiant I solomon, i don't know if it's popular in France but i think. I've chosen this defense, not because of my country but rather because this defnse fits me alot: solid and great counter attaking chances. I am soooo happy that you do videos on this! And i hope one day you will do another about Colle/Zukertort, one of the most underrated opening imho. Thx a lot for your time spends for us, your channel is great!

[@TheChessGiant]

@@lionelbowhunter468 Totally. Ya it's a really solid chess opening that is hard to find weaknesses against. I personally used to be a much more aggressive player in the sense that I would gambit and play crazy stuff to try to win the game fast... however now I see a real value in chess openings like the French. It is an opening of low risk and high reward... I'll make sure to get working on the Colle and Zukertort as well! I totally agree with you saying that they are underrated. Thanks for the support!

[@lionelbowhunter468]

@@TheChessGiant I thank you again for your empathy, it's pleasure to discuss with you, i am happy^^. So m uch to say about the French defnse and i'll wait for your Zuke video ( i dare to advice you a book about it "Zuke 'Em" from Dave Rudeel. this book sits on ma bed table :)) Sorry for my poor english

[@srimannlive3110]

For the attacking exchange variation setup, my engine says that it is a plus 1.4 for white

[@seanerer]

I know you have bookmarks in the description, but you should consider adding markers to the video timeline. Thanks

[@TheChessGiant]

I should!

[@erikpeterson1870]

Great video - I love the French. If anyone wants to go deeper, 1960 world chess championship, Botvinnik versus Tal, with Tal playing the Winnawer variation as black. Good stuff - v sharp

[@erikpeterson1870]

*game 1

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Eric! I'm glad you enjoyed it and ya the French is great. Thanks for the game I'll have to check it out.

[@-j636]

Make french defence Playlist idol

[@diptanuchakraborty2397]

U can make play list and explain the variations more briefly

[@TheChessGiant]

We will do so with each variation! We usually cover the entire opening as a whole, and then go super in depth on each part!

[@Kommaer]

It is nice to prepare the French against d4 players :)

[@craighaines965]

Great video! Maybe a video if White plays King’s Indian Attack?

[@TheChessGiant]

I like this idea!

[@REKKnives]

@10:38 if you castle, the g7 pawn is pinned so white can play bxh6 creating a very dangerous situation it would seem ... Am I incorrect on this?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey man! First off do you make knives? My dad is a collector! Also, yes it may seem so, but right after that in the video we cover why Bh6 is a mistake! Let me know if it helps

[@REKKnives]

Ahh I ended up seeing that, my bad! 🤦🏻‍♂️Keep up the great videos! Yes I sure do make knives! Fixed and folding 👍

[@TheChessGiant]

Sweet! Just subscribed!

[@RayaanVivaan]

8:07 What if white plays c4?

[@srimannlive3110]

Can you do a depth on exchange variation and how we can play a aggressive chess in a drawish game?

[@TheChessGiant]

Yes! That is coming out in the next couple weeks!

[@srimannlive3110]

@@TheChessGiant no way the chess giant himself also my opponent sometimes instead of the d4 plays the knight and other stuff what do I do

[@srimannlive3110]

THanx for replying

[@makakosthebossbaby482]

Bro whites pawn was hanging half the game but good guide pverall😂

[@TheChessGiant]

Which one? The pawn on d4? (It's bad if we take it, if this is the one you are speaking on.) Hope this helps!

[@edmundespina7043]

The draw opening dude,..

[@billi9230]

Are there Gambits?

[@ldgaming4213]

I think so.

[@TheChessGiant]

For white? Yep! We will cover how to play against those with the French as well. A couple I can think of currently is the Orthoschnapp Gambit and Reti Gambit