Answers.Body: <p>The main problem you have playing against the French as white, particularly if you don't play it as black, is that there is just so much theory to learn. If you try and play either  the Tarrasch or the Winawer you don't know if you are going to get a wild tactical game or end up in a tame, boring Rubinstein. Your opponent makes the choice. Even if your opponent declines to play 3 ... de there are still many ways for black to play and they are ways where one small error can lead to an instant lost game.</p>
  
  <p>Your best bet then is to either play the Advance variation with 3. e5 or the more boring Exchange variation with 3. ed. The Advance gives more scope for tactical play and the Exchange more scope for positional play, although you can still have sharp games in the Exchange. They just tend to have a longer fuse. Either one will leave you much less to learn than either the Tarrasch or Winawer with much less chance of a quick loss.</p>
  
  <p>Whichever one you choose learn it thoroughly and stick with it.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-03-07T20:23:25.020Z
Answers.Text: Why did this answer get a downvote? It seems perfectly fine to me.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Brandon_J
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-03-08T00:11:34.903Z
Answers.Text: @Brandon_J I have a stalker who goes round gratuitously voting down my answers. It makes him feel better for a short period but doesn't provide the long term cure that proper professional psychological help would provide.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Brian Towers
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-03-08T00:27:26.427Z
Answers.Text: Huh. Doesn't a StackExchange algorithm detect that sort of thing?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Brandon_J
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-03-07T16:38:23.523Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-03-07T16:38:23.523Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Brian Towers
Answers.Body: <p>The latest I am aware of is: "Grandmaster Repertoire: 1.e4 vs The French, Caro-Kann and Philidor"
  by Parimarjan Negi </p>
  
  <p>As with any opening, ultimately you would like to have 3 ways to play: 1. A non-theoretical line; 2. A must win line - might be highly theoretical; 3. A safe "draw or win" line.</p>
  
  <p>And of course it comes down to playing positions you are comfortable with.  </p>
  
  <p>Most opening books are from the Black perspective but there are a ton of books on beating the French which suggests you are not the only one who finds it pesky.
  Personally, I tried everything against the French, including creating a novelty line against it; and all the lines are good!  You just have to accept that the French is a solid opening and play chess.</p>
  
  <p>3.Nc3 is thought to be the best line but this book suggests 3.Nd2:
  How to Beat the French Defence: The essential guide to the Tarrasch 
  by Andreas Dr Tzermiadianos</p>
  
  <p>Kasimdzhanov has 3(!) DVDs on beating the French</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-03-07T18:14:49.210Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-03-07T18:14:49.210Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Ywapom
Answers.Body: <p>I don't even bother with the theory as white since if they are playing the french they probably know all the main lines. I even play the French as black.</p>
  
  <p>I play exchange variation with castle queen side. That is most likely to get them out of book if they are not a strong player, and still leads to a sharp position.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-03-07T19:12:26.300Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-03-07T19:12:26.300Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Matthew Liu
Body: <p>I have been looking all over the web for a good way to counter the french defense, but nothing really helps. If you have any suggestions please tell me.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-03-07T16:07:34.510Z
Comments.Text: Without further explanation, the answers can create be a catalog of various plausible lines against the French Defense. What kind of positions do you want to reach ? Have you considered getting a copy of one of the scores of opening books and dvd's on the French defense ?
Comments.UserDisplayName: Evargalo
Tags: <french-defense>
Title: What are good resources for how to play against the french as white?
ThreadText: # What are good resources for how to play against the french as white?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-07)
  
  I have been looking all over the web for a good way to counter the french defense, but nothing really helps. If you have any suggestions please tell me.
  
  **Tags:** french-defense
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Without further explanation, the answers can create be a catalog of various plausible lines against the French Defense. What kind of positions do you want to reach ? Have you considered getting a copy of one of the scores of opening books and dvd's on the French defense ?  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2019-03-07. Score: 2
  
  The main problem you have playing against the French as white, particularly if you don't play it as black, is that there is just so much theory to learn. If you try and play either the Tarrasch or the Winawer you don't know if you are going to get a wild tactical game or end up in a tame, boring Rubinstein. Your opponent makes the choice. Even if your opponent declines to play 3 ... de there are still many ways for black to play and they are ways where one small error can lead to an instant lost game.
  
  Your best bet then is to either play the Advance variation with 3. e5 or the more boring Exchange variation with 3. ed. The Advance gives more scope for tactical play and the Exchange more scope for positional play, although you can still have sharp games in the Exchange. They just tend to have a longer fuse. Either one will leave you much less to learn than either the Tarrasch or Winawer with much less chance of a quick loss.
  
  Whichever one you choose learn it thoroughly and stick with it.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_3**: Why did this answer get a downvote? It seems perfectly fine to me.  
  > **username_2**: @username_3 I have a stalker who goes round gratuitously voting down my answers. It makes him feel better for a short period but doesn't provide the long term cure that proper professional psychological help would provide.  
  > **username_3**: Huh. Doesn't a StackExchange algorithm detect that sort of thing?  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2019-03-07. Score: 2
  
  The latest I am aware of is: "Grandmaster Repertoire: 1.e4 vs The French, Caro-Kann and Philidor"
  by Parimarjan Negi
  
  As with any opening, ultimately you would like to have 3 ways to play: 1. A non-theoretical line; 2. A must win line - might be highly theoretical; 3. A safe "draw or win" line.
  
  And of course it comes down to playing positions you are comfortable with.
  
  Most opening books are from the Black perspective but there are a ton of books on beating the French which suggests you are not the only one who finds it pesky.
  Personally, I tried everything against the French, including creating a novelty line against it; and all the lines are good! You just have to accept that the French is a solid opening and play chess.
  
  3.Nc3 is thought to be the best line but this book suggests 3.Nd2:
  How to Beat the French Defence: The essential guide to the Tarrasch
  by Andreas Dr Tzermiadianos
  
  Kasimdzhanov has 3(!) DVDs on beating the French
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2019-03-07. Score: 0
  
  I don't even bother with the theory as white since if they are playing the french they probably know all the main lines. I even play the French as black.
  
  I play exchange variation with castle queen side. That is most likely to get them out of book if they are not a strong player, and still leads to a sharp position.
  
  
  ---
  
  