Introduction to the French Defense ⎸Chess Openings

[@HangingPawns]

Here's a great tool for learning openings: chessbook.com/hanging-pawns Chessbook allows you to import and practice your repertoire. It focuses on moves people actually play as well as your mistakes. Connect it to your lichess or chess com accounts to correct the biggest gaps in your repertoire!

[@gorunmain]

Whenever I want to learn an opening I always watch Hanging Pawns, the best chess channel!

[@jordanhuang1945]

tru

[@yakaboy89]

Gothamchess is good too

[@wiktoraugustyn1149]

@@yakaboy89 but Gothamchess doesn't make videos on every seperate variation, just 10 minute videos on 1 opening

[@mhm8742]

Ikr rlly good

[@jasjas2]

How much did you get paid for this comment? :P

[@thethirdboard2312]

Wolfang Uhlmann (East Germany) was a great expert on the French, and one of very few grandmasters to have deployed it almost exclusively in reply to 1. e4. His book, "Winning with the French" has many example games, including one game he won over Fischer using this defense.

[@taylorhoulihan]

3. Nc3 Paulsen 6:50 3…Bb4 Winawer 7:22 3…Nf6 Classical 10:02 4. Bg5 Burn 10:20 4. Steinitz 10:47 3…dxe4 Rubinstein 12:10 3…Nc6 classical Paulsen 13:00 3. Nd2 Tarrasch 13:40 3…Nf6 closed variation 14:08 3…c5 open system 17:28 3…dxe4 continuing tarrasch 18:15 3. e5 Advanced 18:48 3. exd5 Exchange 19:35

[@minophilic6577]

I cant define in words how good videos u make. Its mainly because u make a whole playlist not all channels make that.

[@Gray-dr2ri]

9:30 The issue with cxd4 before Ne2 has nothing to do with c2, but with Qc3+

[@marshmahigh]

The c3 square is protected by the night though

[@stanisawzietek6944]

@@marshmahigh it isnt, because in this wariation white does not develop his knight, instead he captures cxd4. The knight is still in his starting position thus queen can fork on c3.

[@decepticoon]

Also, the pawn on c2 is protected by the white queen

[@notnotcharles3022]

Thanks, I was confused why you couldn't capture after Nf6

[@IAI060]

Thank you! I kept looking at that and was confused because c2 is defended by white's queen so you definitely can't take Qxc2

[@miroslavmusil2884]

Hi Stjepan, thanks a lot for all your french videos! Although I am player around 2000-2050, to be honest (and shame on me!) I have almost zero openings knowledge... :-) so I have been struggling with openings (especially after 1.e4) since I remember... I decided to find out something "sturdy"... it seems to me your videos are quite legit covering all basics and ideas and they could take the thorn out of my heel !!! :-) Thanks a lot, buddy! :-)

[@sjegannath6295]

I must admit I am your fan by the simple fact that you got to be around 2000 without opening theory. It basically means that your chess instinct and tactical and endgame knowledge is very strong sir.

[@arthdaware05]

Try e4 Nc6 it's a pretty good opening and most people won't expect it

[@animezoneamv9116]

@@arthdaware05 yes but its not effective in long play games.

[@jeremiahguminja6945]

Great work Sir Stephen your chess channel is worth every chess players time, thanks for your hardwork.

[@HangingPawns]

Thank you for saying that:)

[@MrPatty465]

Absolutely fantastic production and analysis for beginners like me. Can’t wait to learn opening repertoire from these. It’s absolutely criminal how few subscribers you have

[@takiskatsoris6943]

We are lucky to learn from you. Excellent teacher! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@HangingPawns]

Thank you for saying that mate! I'm happy you are learning from my vids! The subscribers aren't the main point of this for me. I do this to improve my chess. The best way to learn is to teach (albeit not perfectly:)

[@HangingPawns]

Thanks for the support mate! I'm happy to share what I know:)

[@schrodingershat3240]

damn, I forgot how good this guys' videos are, subbed to not forget again!

[@umuteyasar]

you are the greatest instructor of chess on youtube, keep up the work

[@Ola-rb7rz]

I greatly appreciate all your videos, well structured, well explained for me who is beginner. Thanks a lot!

[@subhankarbhadra781]

I think your channel is the best one available on youtube. I don't know why you do not have the most subscribers. Maybe people just want to look at famous game moves without any explanation.

[@arntchristianteigen2400]

I don't really know why; but I find your channel very nice, perhaps the most sympathic I like you! Good luck and take care

[@ilovetrans893]

Underated channel

[@Erolon]

Your videos are great! You deserve more views.

[@seandoc8463]

Best chess channel around! Thanks for the video as always! Keep them coming

[@josephboeta]

Absolutely love your content! I hope you continue, especially these long opening series! They are the best on KZbin!

[@Ori31415]

I want to thank you very much for the difficult work you do, it is incomprehensible❤

[@xoby]

9:25 Black doesn't take on c2 (that pawn is protected by White's Queen btw). Black does Qc3+ forking the Rook and the King :)

[@mahaveerhirawat7323]

going to say that

[@tastybrain]

Awesome work. Great introduction. I love your detailed and logical breakdowns of openings. I wish I had this kind of introduction to openings years ago.

[@sahilchowdhry2844]

9:28 , QxC2 is not possible cause white queen is on h7

[@dinosaur4714]

Thank you, my friend. Cheers to many games and a growing knowledge/love

[@Rashokri]

Thanks.That is my first video I watch on your channel

[@behzadahmadi5791]

Great lesson on basic variations of french. Thanks tavarish

[@scottjasper5424]

Thank you so much. This is easily comprehensive enough to be a paid product

[@jbaskar4921]

Hanging Pawns ..all videos very use full ...god bless you ...

[@sittingfrogleg]

Very well explained, thank you!

[@manas_singh]

Thank you for this sir 🙏🏻

[@sergiomangubat4657]

You're video provide more understanding than reading books

[@swordie777]

Thank you for this video

[@dawids5179]

Very good channel. Great job!

[@lewisvansplunteren9788]

Best Chess Channel on the Internet, Second to None!

[@johnreveal8493]

Stjepan, you provide great explanations. Thanks very much. You get to the point, with honest personal opinions. I've been struggling with FCO, in contrast The writer veers off to sidelines of the opening and it is hard to tell when he comes back to the point. You instead very briefly note a sideline, direct us to your other video for the sideline, and then finish the central explanation.

[@thepsalms2806]

Thank you I plan to go all the way with the french defence

[@ferrysantoso9236]

Hi, how are you mentor Steven! This is Ferry. Thanks for brief explanation to the gameplay of French Defense Openings main lines and variation lines (1.e4 e6). I hear to remember and learn to understand your tutorial.👂

[@zolle132]

You inspired me to play chess .that is so huge .i Love your Channel .you work so hard and i think all chess Players appreciate your Work .keep Up the good Work .

[@VET3R4N]

Love you ❤

[@Ak-pr1wg]

Your thumbnails are amazing

[@enriquesocrates6822]

Thanks for sharing your job

[@RaidingPig]

9:30 Qxc2 triple exclam

[@CaiXuKun-mg7gc]

good introduction video for French defense Sir Stephen, can u cover the 3. Be3 move (Schlechter variation)?

[@user-yy8ur8xz4e]

Great video

[@philshumble6954]

9:30 c2 is protected by the white queen tho

[@adamg.9732]

He meant qc3

[@rutujpalkhedkar7882]

Thank you:) before watching your videos I was 700 but just by learning 1Caro kann 2French defense 3London By you vids I am 1700

[@danebengeschissen]

broo never 😅

[@basimabood7658]

Great video bro as always thanx for your time and can tell me from where you bring this variations is it from the encyclopedia

[@HangingPawns]

Mainly from books and game databases. From several websites as well (chessgames is a great one). I'm glad you like the video:)

[@swayamsahoo8565]

In 9:33 , Qxc2 doesn't work because of Qxc2 by white

[@lionsskyblue442]

Thank you sir

[@shubhamkanaujia9614]

Nice one, love from India

[@TeeGar]

I never worry about whether or not a game is considered boring . Winning is the objective so if I play a boring game but win , who cares? That said, great video as always my friend.

[@stefanschaller5992]

Sehr gut erklärt!

[@nocopyrightfreestyle7524]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS❤

[@enigma7650]

9:32 But if queen takes doesn't white queen take back?

[@dimitarzhekov9550]

Would you cover the Schlecter variation for white

[@coneptlearning]

Please upload C13 - 14

[@cadmus204]

Doesn’t Qxc2 hang the queen (since white’s queen is on h7) at 9:32?

[@tim..indeed]

3. exd5 Qd5 to transpose into the Scandinavian!

[@Froge4291]

But the e6 pawn prevents the light squared Bishop from developing

[@davemurphy4673]

Great video - are you ever going to do an English Opening video?

[@GermanAssum]

16:15 Why does black HAVE to take? There's no discovery since queen is under attack and there's no double checks if king goes back to e8. I didn't get it.

[@lWaterFlowl]

i'm late, but for those who have the same question, there is Ne5+, a discovery with double check, then after Ke7 white can just play Qh4 and eventually the white king will be safe and the white pieces would just be better positioned in general.

[@CoDMunichTV]

it forks rook and king so if you don't take you loose your rook for nothing, but if you take you got at least a knight

[@AlintraxAika]

If king goes to e8, white can simply put the queen on h4 attacking black's knight and still attacking black's rook with his knight, you just got a worse position.

[@vsrivastava5449]

You are too good. :)

[@HangingPawns]

:) Thanks

[@sauravanand9100]

Hi, great job. Love your videos . I have a question about 1. e4 e6 how about 2. c4 steiner variation...

[@shahriarteymoorinia3663]

9:28 white can't take back on d4 because Qxc2???

[@Tana-degli-Scacchi]

I like e4 e6 d4 d5 Nc3 Be7.

[@chungboislim2061]

Do none of these videos on the French cover the Knight Variation (2.Nf3)? It seems like it transposes I guess, but is there any downside to playing it instead of the mainline?

[@edgarkais2430]

Today Bd3 and the pawn sac on d4 is vey popular. I missed that in your video.

[@patrickadams5764]

Question for Stjepan: If a beginner was just starting with chess, which opening(s) would be the best to begin with. Example in in this French Defense video you mention how one set of moves is similar to the Caro Kann for black, and another if white plays a move, it would essentially be a Kings Indian attack. So the question is.. what openings are best to start with and learn, so as you progress, you have a better base, when learning other openings?

[@katierumlock6645]

I know I’m a bit late and you’ve probably found your opening by now but for white I’d recommend “system” openings - positional openings that you can play regardless of what your opponent does. The King’s Indian Attack, Stonewall Attack, and London System are good examples of this. For black, you need one opening against e4 and one against d4. It doesn’t really matter what you choose, but I’d suggest not playing e5 against e4 or d5 against d4 because you are allowing white to play the opening they want to play, which means they will know more theory than you do. The French Defense, Caro Kann, King’s Indian Defense, Dutch Defense, Scandinavian Defense, and Englund Gambit are all good options for this. I’d advise you avoid the Sicilian until you get significantly more experienced. Hopefully you found this helpful.

[@chaineloisir2506]

​​@@katierumlock6645 Against e4 I play the french against d4 I play e6 and then proceed to play the french against e4 or the queen's indian against c4

[@csigazsiga1]

9:31 After QxC2 isn't there QxC2 for white? Thus hanging the Queen?

[@csigazsiga1]

Ah! QC3, not C2!

[@shuaibahammed7293]

Is there a video for Paulsen variation

[@joetheherbmcspice4501]

9:26-9:30 C2 is covered by the queen on H7. Am I being stupid?

[@LaVieDeReine86]

yes I saw that too. I'm very confused. also after Qg4 O-O then I thought Bg6 pinning the pawn.

[@thepsalms2806]

Yes he meant Qc3 winning the rook

[@LaVieDeReine86]

@@thepsalms2806 ohhhhh ok cool

[@matthisberghoff6004]

Is the winawer for example a subvariation of the paulsen variation?

[@matp3209]

9:30 if Qxc2, Qxc2 …

[@sasazastavnikovic]

Pozdrav Stjepane, could you please also make a video in the KIA replay to the french defense. Thank you in advance, kind regards.

[@ToRm3NtOrZz]

Could you also make a video in the two knights attack in the french defence? I think is a sound opening Definately something to surprise Thanks a lot And keep it up!

[@HangingPawns]

I might:) have to finish the scheduled series first though. Wrote it down!

[@jurgenkaul4170]

Sorry, i forgot: against 1.d4 i play the Nimzoindian or the Queensindian defence

[@ostapbender7528]

Cool video! What do you think about this idea for Black in the advance variation: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7 followed by 6...Bb5 in order to exchange the light squared bishop?

[@TheInfernoGamer10]

He has a vid on that

[@michaelvanzyl9418]

I don’t enjoy the positions from French defense. Thanks for helping me out😁

[@HangingPawns]

I hate playing against the French too. But over time I managed to score ok against it. I picked the Tarrasch and the positions are at least fun and attacking:D Hope the series helps you and every other e4 player who wants to cry when he sees 1...e6 (including me)

[@ReachingHigher001]

😆

[@fadyserhan9537]

Play Nf3 and get him out of book

[@kylen6430]

Hanging Pawns for players hoping for an attacking and fun game, I stick with the general theme of the French by playing dxe4, transposing to the Rubinstein and sucking the soul out of the position 😆

[@peterlustig4300]

@Aun Hathiari Or the Wing Gambit

[@Hav180]

If white plays Bd3, black can play C4 to advance and to hit the bishop. I believe this is a good move for black, correct?

[@o.m.001]

9:33 why Queen takes c2? Queen c3 check?

[@fuat1956]

thanks for video. ı think 09:33 Black queen cant take c2 pawn.

[@HangingPawns]

I know it was a mistake:)

[@jurgenkaul4170]

Hi, a very nice and helpful channel! I am looking for a second (related?) opening against 1. e4 besides the French Defense. What would you recommend? Philidor? Petroff? Alekhine? Scandinavian? Or any other? Thanks for your help.

[@Froge4291]

There is the French sicilian

[@Froge4291]

Which has two branches (taimanov / kann)

[@pallavivyas4913]

He said Hello everyone

[@jamieoliver9620]

wow why dont you teach how to teach the french exchange variation for black so we arent just screwed if they play takes which most lower rated players do

[@simons2006]

Can someone help me understand, why do you not take a pawn on d4 with your c5 pawn(as black), when your oponent plays Paulsen variation, i thought the whole point of c5 is to take on d4(in Paulsen). I know that you take later, but why dont you take straight away?

[@marshmahigh]

Hello! At 8:31, what if white takes the hanging pawn?

[@marshmahigh]

@@mostafaatif tysm!

[@turglow]

can someone explain why at 8:31 white cant do dxc5?

[@RaidingPig]

tripled pawns are three times as good, especially when isolated /s

[@umuteyasar]

stjepan, i am 20 and i am playing chess for three months, still 1200 on blitz, my goal is to be 2000 on lichess, how did it take for you to improve this much, im getting confused a lot

[@marcofrey2903]

Can any recommend a variation for a beginner (1200 ELO)? I like attacking, tactical play and dislike turtle, structural play.

[@jddebr]

Try king's gambit. At that level you don't need to learn a lot of the deep theory, just the basics of keeping your king safe from the black queen check and then some of the attacking ideas. These games are fun and tactical and you will learn a lot.

[@marcofrey2903]

@@jddebr Thanks but I was talking about a variation to play against the French defense. PS, I'm not a fan of King's Gambit myself. I love the Italian game with Evans gambit.

[@jddebr]

@@marcofrey2903 oh I see, in that case I'd suggest the winawer poison pawn variation, to me that is the most exciting line, although I've only just started playing french recently myself

[@marcofrey2903]

@@jddebr Thanks, sounds up my alley.

[@marcofrey2903]

@@jddebr Sorry, but I meant Attacking the french. (as white). I looked into the poison pawn and it seems better for black and not suited to a beginner like me.

[@shawnburnham1]

5:00

[@Ak-pr1wg]

I want french in my repertoire but sadly everyone exchanges at my level

[@stevelenores5637]

New MasterMethod course crushes white players who play exchange variation.

[@AlintraxAika]

The exchange variation can also be fun because few people know the ideas in this opening

[@michaelvanzyl9418]

Playing the exchange French is like ordering a well done steak😁

[@HangingPawns]

Haha! I couldn't agree more:D (or ordering a warm beer)

[@irinaivanova9401]

even in exchange french black might go terribly wrong going for usual set up or playing natural moves. 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Bd6 5.c4 dxc4 6.Bxc4 Nf6 7.O-O O-O 8.Nc3 Nbd7 9.Bg5 Nb6 10.Bb3 Be7 11.Re1 Bg4 12.h3 Bh5 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.g4 Bg6 15.Ne5 c6 16.f4 h6 17.Nxg6 1-0

[@fakecubed]

Yeah, I really enjoy my French games. I rarely play it as black, but whenever anyone uses it against me it's always a fun time. It's such a breath of fresh air after too many Open Ruy Lopez and Sicilian games. I've played various versions with some success but I'd never play the Exchange Variation.

[@hadiashrafzadeh2816]

❤️❤️❤️

[@sriyash260]

I am trying to figure out how to play against the french. :( Its one opening I really struggle against.

[@sriyash260]

Checked out the other videos, they are from the white side!

[@HangingPawns]

Glad you found something useful:) I hate facing the french too. I opt for the Tarrasch (Nd2) variation. Good luck beating e6!

[@TheGodfather-bm3ow]

French wing gambit please

[@jamesspencer5180]

9:27 dxc4 is impossible because of Qc3+, not Qxc2 which blunders the Queen.

[@Scottygthreethousand]

Why such effort to attack the pawn base? Why not focus elsewhere?

[@GoranRadic]

Qc2 is losing move because the queen from h7 defends c2.

[@thepsalms2806]

Yes i think he meant Qc3,winning the rook

[@sleazyrider4966]

Can i please get a comment on 2.f4 ?

[@frasenal]

What does the numbers (C11, C01) means in your videos?

[@Lovetek10]

If you still don't know, they are codes for openings as seen in "The Encyclopedia of chess openings" (ECO).

[@ersanvaryemez5081]

ı like

[@bahadrcpr4623]

you look like Elon Musk

[@nuh_uhhh1]

random af xd

[@HAHA_150]

Bruh