1. e2e4  1... e7e6  2. d2d4  2... d7d5  3. b1c3  3... g8f6  4. e4e5  4... f6d7  5. f2f4  5... c7c5  6. g1f3  6... b8c6  7. c1e3  7... c5d4  8. f3d4  8... d8b6 This variation of the French Defense is tough to face because if the player with the black pieces knows all the theory, according to the current stage, it's very likely that the game will be drawn after a long forcing sequence. However, the other side of the coin is that any lapse of memory is fatal and a draw is the most that can be achieved against a well-prepared player, in addition to having to defend against any possible new idea. 9. d1d2  9... b6b2  10. a1b1  10... b2a3  11. f1b5  11... c6d4  12. e3d4  12... a7a6  13. b1b3  13... a3e7  14. b5a4 The bishop retreat seems pointless, since it can be attacked with b7-b5, but in this case the bishop is sacrificed and White gains the advantage. Black needs to play cautiously. 14... e7h4  15. d4f2  15... h4d8  16. f2b6  16... d8h4  17. g2g3 White goes for a win instead of repeating moves. 17... h4g4  18. c3e4 The knight heads to c5 or d6. Can Black accept the sac $2 18... d5e4 Black falls into the trap. This move loses by force. 19. b3c3 Threatening to capture on c8, followed by mate. 19... f8b4  20. c3c8  20... a8c8  21. a4d7 White needs to be accurate. 21... e8e7  22. d2b4  22... e7d7  23. b4d6  23... d7e8  24. e1g1 Black is helpless against the threat of 25.Rd1. 24... f7f6 Desperately trying to run away with the king. 25. f4f5  25... c8c3  26. d6d8  26... e8f7  27. d8d7 