French Advance Review 2013-06

e2e4ChessNews FR Advance Review June 2013
Here is a summary of recent and potential white ideas that defenders must be aware of. I also surveyed a 3...b6 which can be used as a backup to the main line 3..c5. 

My favorite game is game 2 where Toth completely dominated GM Gonda in the TCh-HUN 2010–11.

• Games 1-3 3...b6(Backup)
• Games 4-6 3...c5(Main Line)

Example Background Video
All games come with a background video.




Game 1
This is a key game showing black's potential in the 3...b6 line. White got a bit behind in development which allowed Short to favorably open up the position.

Khalifman,Alexander (2690) - Short,Nigel D (2676)
FR Advance 3…b6 [C02]
Moscow Fide.com Cup Moscow (3), 26.03.2001

Black to Play

Game 2
A really fantastic example of play over the whole board and positional domination.

Toth,E (2414) - Gonda,L (2550)
FR Advance 3…b6 4.c3 Qd7 5.Nf3 [C02]
TCh-HUN 2010–11 Decs HUN (6), 20.02.2011

White to Play

Game 3
This is an update to the Khalifman-Short Moscow 2001 game. Black was fine but allowed white to start a dangerous attack.

Feygin,M (2538) - Jochens,A (2298)
FR Advance 3…b6 4..c3 Qd7 5.Nd2 [C02]
Bundesliga 2012–13 Norderstedt GER (3), 10.11.2012

White to Play

Game 4
Black had an excellent position from the opening but allowed white too much counterplay. GM Williams recommends 6..f6 against 6.a3 but other moves are possible.

Strange,M (2335) - Pavlovic,Milos (2509)

FR Advance 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.a3 Nh6[C02]
Admiral Niels Juel Cup 2013 Koge DEN (5.8), 23.04.2013

Black to Play

Game 5
The usual plan for black is ...b6 followed by ...Ba6 to trade light bishops. Black tried a new way to engineer the bishop trade(5...a6/..Bb5) and got an equal game. Later black lost an exiting back and forth battle.

Cubas,Jo (2550) - Gutierrez,Ca (2253)
FR Advance 4.c3 Bd7 5.Nf3 a6 [C02]
VIII American Continental 2013 Cochabamba BOL (3.12), 09.05.2013

Black to Play

Game 6

Black was fine in the opening using the 6...c4 line which adds to black's options as Vitiugov recommends 6...Nh6 in The French Defence Reloaded (Chess Stars 2012).

Motylev,A (2669) - Fodor,T jr (2475)
FR Advance 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 c4 [C02]
14th Euro Indiv 2013 Legnica POL (8.66), 13.05.2013

Black to Play