The French Defence: Essentials (Black Repertoire)

By Theo van Stratum

A Black repertoire against 1.e4, built around the French Defence (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5). Covers the structures a student needs to actually understand the opening from Black's side: the ...Qb6/...c4 plan against the Advance Variation, the solid main line against the Tarrasch (3.Nd2), the sharp, principled Winawer against 3.Nc3 -- including the famous 'poisoned pawn' main line -- and how to keep the Exchange Variation (3.exd5) from being the dead draw its reputation suggests. Every line and sideline stays within White's first 10 moves.