It seems very popular in tournament chess, any reason why?

From: (Antonin Dvorak)
Date: 08/10/03 02:54 GMT Daylight Time
Message-id:

It seems very popular in tournament chess, any reason why?


My guess would be that it's because it's a sturdy defence with respect to which
black gets good play, and if white is not careful, black gets *very* good play.

"Antonin Dvorak" wrote in message
om...

It seems very popular in tournament chess, any reason why?

I'll tell you if you tell me why you never made a French Symphony.

In article ,
(Antonin Dvorak) wrote:

It seems very popular in tournament chess, any reason why?

Easy:

It's relatively straightforward to play. The battle revolves around a
few key ideas that aren't very hard to understand (or, at least, easy to
learn, impossible to master).

Black is unlikely to make a trivial mistake on move 5 or 10 that loses
the game for him once he's mastered a few basic ideas--compared to, say,
the sicilian.

It gives good chances for the win.

It forces white to try something different. In class play, a lot of
players go for f7 via 1.e4, 2.nf3, and 3.Bc4 by rote. Take that away and
they'll flail around a bit, whereas black's counterplay in many
variations is rather straighforward (c5xd4, gang up on d4.).

-Ron

(Antonin Dvorak) wrote in message . com...
It seems very popular in tournament chess, any reason why?

The French tempts White to attack against a very sound Black defensive
formation. White often over-extends, and maybe gives up a pawn here
or there in pursuit of an unsound attack....Then Black's
counter-attack sets in, usually through the C file and sometimes
through the F file, maybe both...Very exciting chess!!

The French Defense give Black real chances for counterplay without
taking too much risk, unlike the Sicilian. (I love to play White
against the Sicilian.)

I play the French for an interesting and exciting middle-game. But if
an endgame does arise, the pawn structure definitely favors Black, as
GM Larry Evans says in MCO-10. Here's where that pawn or two that
White has dropped persuing his/her premature attack come in handy for
Black!!
warm regards, GreyHipster

From: "Derek Wildstar"
Date: 08/10/03 06:46 GMT Daylight Time
Message-id: 9xNgb.521160$cF.188601@rwcrnsc53


"Antonin Dvorak" wrote in message
. com...

It seems very popular in tournament chess, any reason why?

I'll tell you if you tell me why you never made a French Symphony.


*WOOT WOOT WOOT

IMMINENT APPALLING PUN ALERT*

It's because he's a Czech, mate.....

"So popular." You can see those from the stats, and even though I don't
know, but I guess the Sicilian is the most popular among 1. e4 players,
while the 1. d4 players more likely prefer also other options, more solid
options, something less tactical, more strategical.

"Antonin Dvorak" wrote in message
om...

It seems very popular in tournament chess, any reason why?

Since you didn't answer me, why do _you_ think the French is very popular? I
bet you have at least some interesting thoughts on the subject.

The french was popular a few years ago at the highest level. But not
anymore. Modern GMs are very pragmatic and change their openings
rapidly.

Currently the Sveshnikov is considered to give black good chances
which means a lot of Sicilian (and anti-Sicilian) systems being
played. The Petroff defence and Caro kann systems are two other
favourites these days.

There is nothing wrong with the french, and it will surely get popular
again.

Bjørn Revil