7. French Defense - CLASSICAL VARIATION

The prerogative of the first move, if properly exploited, grants White a lasting initiative. It does not, however, deter­mine the course of the game. Black has at least an equal say in this matter.

For good and sufficient reasons, Black often directs the course of play. In doing so, he avoids lines unfamiliar to him­self and arbitrarily compels his opponent to follow, rather than lead.

This does not mean that Black steals the initiative. The in­itiative is White's endowment. When Black originates the de­fense, however, he compels White to play to Black's tune. From the first move, therefore, White is burdened with the need to know all defenses which Black may use, and Black must know only one—the one which he will actually play. Ergo, to that extent, Black enjoys an edge.

Of the various defenses at Black's disposal, the prospects of the French are indeed promising; its pattern is firm, yet resil­ient; its snail-pace first move 1 . . . P-K3 is deceptive and often decoys an unsuspecting White into a false, impetuous attack, subject to recoil and boomerang.

The reply 1 . . . P-K3, designated at one time by the Eng­lish players as "the King's Pawn One Game," was surnamed the French Defense, probably because the French writers have paid more attention to it than others. It was first mentioned, by Lucena in 1497.

It languished long, however, under what William Napier calls the "obsolete prejudice," that there was no good reason to shirk open, airy and pelting chess—and likely enough, also, under White's resentment that Black should direct the course of play. So, even after Morphy's day, his gifted and like-minded successor, Leonard, spoke of the French Defense as "the King's Pawn Sneaks One."

This defense arises as follows:

1 P-K4 P-K3

The advance of the King Pawn only one square, instead of two, momentarily cedes to White the greater control of the center. White's Pawn at K4 strikes the important squares, Q5 and KB5; the Black Pawn at K3 remains within Black's own half of the board. The Pawn at K3, moreover, hinders the nat­ural mobility of Black's Queen Bishop. So, on the face of it, the defense appears foredoomed.

Such is not the case, however. These drawbacks are offset by advantages in other respects. For the Black Pawn pattern which evolves from the first move is structurally sound. White cannot pin on to a single target. Black's usual point of vulnera­bility, moreover, after 1 . . . P-K4, his KB2, is now safe­guarded from direct attack. A White Bishop at QB4 would be biting on granite. In addition, the Pawn at K3 serves as a prop for the following move of . . . P-Q4, which is intended to challenge White's control of the center.

White's problem from the start is to capitalize on his in­finitesimal center plus and free development. Black's problem is to check any undue aggression while catching up in develop­ment and locating his men in promising posts. Along these lines, the issue is drawn.

2 P-Q4 . . . .

In nearly all cases in King Pawn openings, when an early P-Q4 can be played without incurring disadvantages, it is the proper move. As the Pawn pattern determines the character of the opening, correct strategy calls for the men to rally round the Pawns and not for the Pawns to cover haphazard develop­ment. That is why the King and Queen Pawns should take their places early, when possible.

(It should be noted that the move P-Q4 is not readily en­forceable in King Pawn openings without disadvantage. For instance, after 1P-K4, P-K4; 2 P-Q4, Black can play 2 . . . PxP and, after 3 QxP, N-QB3 gains Black a valuable tempo. In the French, the move has no drawbacks.)

2           . . . . P-Q4

In all King Pawn openings, the move P-Q4 for Black, is proper when it does not incur disadvantages.

3           N-QB3 . . . .

The idea of the text move is to develop a piece and main­tain pressure in the center. Various alternatives are:

(1)3 PxP, PxP—the Exchange Variation. This line relieves the pressure in the center and leaves the Pawn structures so evenly matched that the remainder of the game is reduced to a tug of war. White still retains the minimal initiative of the first move. But, in practical play this is not sufficient to mean much.

It is important for Black to bear in mind, when playing the Exchange Variation, to avoid symmetry. Symmetrical positions are tricky. They have the earmarks of a dead draw and yet often lead to losing games for the defender. This is because the defender is unable to emulate the aggressor at some point, without risking immediate loss. A line offering good prospects for Black in the Exchange Variation runs as follows: 1 P-K4, P-K3; 2 P-Q4, P-Q4; 3 PxP, PxP; 4 N-KB3, B-Q3; 5 B-Q3, N-QB3; 6 P-B3, KN-K2; 7 O-O, B-KN5; 8 R-Kl, Q-Q2; 9 QN-Q2, O-O-O; 10 P-N4, N-N3; 11 N-N3, QR-K1, with chances about even. (Maroczy vs. Spielmann, Bad Sliac, 1932.)

(2) 3 P-K5—a natural looking move, favored by Nimzó-vich. Fundamentally, it is intended to usurp the terrain in the center, with White's Pawn at K5 serving as a bridgehead. Its advantages, however, are counterbalanced by disadvantages. To begin with, the time lost in moving the Pawn to K5 can be utilized to develop a piece. This, of course, is only of minor significance. More important is the fact that the bridgehead (the Pawn on K5) and its supporting props are subject to at­tack directly and from the wings, which will leave it in a pre­carious state.

On the other hand, if the Pawn at K5 can be successfully maintained, Black's position will be cramped and White may retain excellent attacking chances. The issue is drawn along these lines.

An example of this line runs as follows: 1 P-K4, P-K3; 2 P-Q4, P-Q4; 3 P-K5, P-QB4; 4 P-QB3, N-QB3; 5 N-KB3, Q-N3 (observe Black's pressure on White's Q4, which supports the bridgehead); 6 B-K2, PxP; 7 PxP, KN-K2; 8 P-QN3, N-B4; 9 B-N2, B-N5ch; 10 K-B1, P-KR4; 11 P-KR4, B-Q2; 12 N-B3, BxN; 13 BxB, R-QB1, with a better game for Black. In this instance, the bridgehead is still there. But White's King has been forced to move and White's general development is in­ferior to Black's.

The Nimzóvich Attack can also be played as a gambit, thus: 1 P-K4, P-K3; 2 P-Q4, P-Q4; 3 P-K5, P-QB4; 4 N-KB3, N-QB3; 5 B-Q3, PxP. In this line, White's plan is to maintain the Pawn at K5 at all costs, exploit the advantage of terrain to the full and attempt to recover the Pawn with the better posi­tion, as a last resort. With correct play, however, Black has little difficulty in maintaining equality.

(3) 3 N-Q2—Tarrasch's favorite. This line will be discussed in Chapter 9.

3           . . . . N-KB3

This provocative move assists Black's development and puts pressure on White's King Pawn. 3 ... B-N5, favored by Botvinnik, will be discussed in Chapter 8.

4           B-N5 . . . .

White pins the Knight and threatens 5 BxN to disrupt Black's Pawn formation. For Black must guard his Queen Pawn with his Queen.

Here again, 4 P-K5 has been played with moderate success. Yet, after 4 P-K5, KN-Q2, White's pressure in the center is gone and Black undermines White's King Pawn with a ceaseless bombardment of White's Q4 via . . . P-QB4, . . . N-QB3 and . . . Q-N3. To boot, a direct clash with a properly timed . . . P-KB3 will wipe out White's entire center.

4.B-K2

Black breaks the pin and once again threatens White's King Pawn.

A more adventurous line for Black is 4 ... B-N5, known as the McCutcheon Variation. Oddly enough, this line is dan­gerous for both sides, and its intricacies require special study.

5 P-K5 . . . .

There is no good way for White to maintain tension in the center any longer. That is why he now advances his King Pawn. For instance, if 5 B-Q3, PxP; 6 NxP, NxN; 7 BxB, QxB; 8 BxN, Q-N5ch, followed by 9 . . . QxNP, Black gains a Pawn.

5 . . . . KN-Q2

The end of the tension is the signal for White to exploit to the full his gain of terrain and whatever other minor pluses he can accumulate. For now Black intends to hammer away at White's Pawn chain, and White must engage in other compen­sating actions.

While, in effect, the text move is a retreat, it is by no means without prospects. At Q2, the Knight bears on White's King Pawn. While the Pawn is adequately protected, its support may be unhinged as the game progresses. When, as and if the support is unhinged, the Knight at Q2 will be exerting pres­sure on White's King Pawn.

The more aggressive 5 ... N-K5 is met by 6 NxN. If then 6 ... BxB; 7 NxB, QxN; 8 P-KN3, followed by P-KB4, White's position is superior. Or if 6 NxN, PxN; 7 BxB, QxB; 8 Q-K2, Black's Pawns are structurally weaker.

6 BxB QxB

This exchange of Bishops weakens the black squares. Nat­urally, when Bishops which control black squares are removed from the board, the reinforcement of the squares by the absent Bishops is impossible.

Since, however, a White and Black Bishop are swapped, who stands to gain? In this instance, White stands to gain. During the future course of the game, Black's normal play calls for the demolishing of White's Pawn center. To accomplish this, Black must play . . . P-QB4. Just as soon as this move is made, there is a vulnerable square at Black's Q3 to which a White Knight may penetrate. Moreover, when White's Queen Pawn is exchanged, White can place a Knight at Q4—a black square—and dominate a good portion of the board.

Following this thought one step further, why should Black play . . . P-QB4 when it involves him in disadvantages?

The answer is that unless Black does so, he will be more or less compelled to mark time. Then White will continue with a King-side onslaught, which is apt to be successful. Strict pas­sivity is likely to land Black in an unbearable squeeze, with no hope of counter play.

1. P-B4 . . . .

To bolster the center and begin an attack, after the pieces are brought out, with P-KN4 and P-KB5 and a breakthrough to the Black Monarch.

7            .... O-O

This is the most active continuation for Black. It is a prel­ude to a head-on clash of the center Pawns which will follow in due course.

The slower positional line is 7 ... P-QR3, intending . . . P-QB4. Observe that 7 ... P-QB4 will not do at once because of the reply, 8 N-N5, threatening 9 N-B7ch to win the ex­change, and also 9 N-Q6ch, discombobulating the Black King position. Black squares!

The positional line also results in White's favor. E.g., 7 . . . P-QR3; 8 N-B3, P-QB4; 9 PxP, N-QB3; 10 N-K2! (head­ing for Q4-black square!), QxP; 11 Q-Q2, P-QN4; 12 QN-Q4, NxN; 13 NxN, N-N3; 14 P-QN3, B-Q2; 15 Q-K3! R-QB1; 16 B-Q3, with a plus for White. White's centralized Knight (on a black square) and the prospects of a successful Pawn storm of the King-side rule in his favor. Black's counterplay is limited. For should he attempt . . . P-B3, to break White's center, Black will be left with a weak King Pawn which will bear constant watching.

8            Q-Q2 . . . .

The purpose of this move is to clear the last rank so that White may castle on the Queen-side. With Kings on opposite sides of the board, White is in position to start an all-out at­tack against the Black Monarch on the other wing.

As a general rule, a King on the Queen-side is an easier target than one on the King-side. But experience shows this position to be the exception. Most likely because White con­trols the center and his men are better deployed.

8            . . . . P-QB4

A good and necessary "break," with the intention of under­mining White's strong hold on the center. Any delaying tactics would be met by simple development, such as N-B3, followed by B-Q3 and P-KN4, with a powerful attack in the offing.

9             N-B3 N-QB3

Putting more pressure on White's center. 10 O-O-O! . . . .

As per plan. Soon it may be a question of who gets to the adversary's King "fustest with the mostest."

10 P-B3

To demolish White's center Pawn phalanx in order to free the Black forces for a measure of counterplay. Another way is 10 . . . P-B5, followed by . . . R-QN1 and . . . P-QN4, and a Pawn-storming of the White King position. White can meet this with a demonstration of his own, beginning with P-B5 and followed up with P-KN4. Since White is in control of the center and since his men are better poised for attack, White's chances of success should be greater.

11         PxKBP . . . .

Otherwise, Black intends . . . PxQP, followed by ... PxKP, after which White will wind up with an isolated King Pawn. After the text move, the opening of the King file leaves Black's King Pawn a permanent target.

12         . . . . QxP

Black threatens White's King Bishop Pawn. 12 P-KN3 . . . .

Defending the Bishop Pawn and, at the same time, opening new avenues for White's Bishop at KN2 and KR3.

12          . . . . PxP

In line with the plan to dissolve the opposing center.

13          KNxP N-B4

14 B-N2 . . . .

Black's position is now free. He suffers, however, from a chronically weak, backward King Pawn.

This move makes it difficult for Black to enforce . . . P-K4. It is interesting to note that 14 B-R3 equalizes the game, thus: 14 ... NxN; 15 QxN, QxQ; 16 RxQ, P-K4; 17 RxP, BxB; 18 RxN, PxP, with an even game in sight.

14 . . . . B-Q2

Black clears his first rank so that his Rook can cooperate. 15 KR-K1 . . . .

Pressure on the weak point.

15 . . . . QR-B1

The King Pawn requires no additional defense at present. Black tries therefore, to maintain the balance of position by preparing an attack against the White King.

16 NxN RxN

White has the better game, although adroit skill is required to prove a clear-cut advantage. A game, Stahlberg vs. Keres (Kemeri, 1937), continued from this point:

17 BxP, PxB; 18 NxP, Q-R3 (. . . Q-B2 loses to 19 R-K7, Q-B4; 20 R-K5, followed by N-K7ch, NxR and RxN); J9 N-K7ch, K-Rl; 20 NxR, BxN; 21 Q-R5Î White picks off another Pawn and the material remains with White having a Rook and three Pawns for two minor pieces. White won the game in 81 moves.

Conclusions

In the Classical Variation of the French Defense, White's immediate gain of the center gives him an edge which is diffi­cult to blunt. With correct play, White should always come out on top, although the onus of finding the correct moves at each turn often proves too great in practical play.

The game in the following Chess Movie illustrates the so­lidity of White's game in the Classical Variation against the French Defense.

Chess Movie

KING PAWN ONE:

KING PAWN NONE!

Tactical thrills excite even the mighty into rash action. The "irresistible" Knight "sac" at Black's 16th in the following game is only a dud. The indomitable skill of the great Akiba Rubinstein shows it up for what it is worth. Levenfish is the victim. The game was played at Carlsbad, 1911. It opens with 1 P-K4, P-K3; 2 P-Q4, P-Q4; 3 N-QB3, N-KB3; 4 B-N5, B-K2; 5 P-K5, KN-Q2; 6 BxB, QxB, reaching diagram No. J.

1

The game continues: 7 Q-Q2, O-O; 8 P-B4, P-QB4; 9 N-B3, P-B3. Each side conscientiously fol­lows the prefabricated plan with confidence in his own pattern and a crocodile's con­cern for the opponent's. Only the grueling test of skill and skull in the arena will be the final judgment.

2

 The center dissolves with 10 PxKBP, QxP. Then White defends his KBP with 11 P-KN3. Black develops his Knight, 11 . . . N-QB3 and 12 O-O-O, P-QR3 follows. Black is prepar­ing a Queen-side Pawn ad­vance. Now comes 13 B-N2, N-N3. Black has more center Pawns. Are they strong or weak?

3

 It appears that Black's wing demonstration is picking up momentum. This is deceptive. For White's grip on the center checks any undue advance. There follows 14 KR-K1, N-B5; 15 Q-B2, P-QN4. What does it matter that Black remains with a weak King Pawn—if he check­mates the White King?

4

 White cuts through the Pawn avalanche with 26 PxP. Now Black fol­lows with his "grand combi­nation." 16 . . . NxP is the move. White plays 17 KxN, and there follows 17 ... P-N5, recovering the piece. Mo­mentarily, it appears that Black is scoring. White's King position is now perforated.

5

 The atmosphere clears, however, after 18 N-Q4, PxNch; 19 K-Rl. Black's attack is running out of gas. Moreover, White's ex­tra Bishop Pawn is no idle cu­riosity. It is a potential threat. And, in the background, Black's chronically weak King Pawn is the strategic target. It will figure in the denouement.

6

 Black swaps Knights: 19 . . . NxN. (What else? The threat was 20 NxP, BxN; 21 RxB, QxR; 22 BxP, pinning the Queen.) There follows 20 QxN, R-Nl; 21 R-K3, P-N4. Black's Queen Bishop Pawn is doomed, and so Black breaks out in a new spot, to complicate and give White a chance to go wrong.

7

 White continues simply with 22 RxBP. There follows 22 . . . PxP; 23 PxP, B-Q2. (White's KBP is poison. For, after 23 ... QxP; 24 R-N3ch is decisive.) Even the semblance of Black's attack has vanished. . . . Now is the time to take stock. White's passed QBP looms large in the reckoning. Now what?

8

 The extra Pawn ad­vances: 24 P-B6. Black swaps Queens: 24 . . . QxQ; 25 RxQ and retreats his Bishop 25 ... B-Kl. Can the isolated Bishop Pawn be held? And at what expense? Black's survival depends on the answer to this question. Or is it too late to ask ques­tions? The overt act is done.

9

 The answer is sad! First White molests the weak King Pawn. Observe that weakness will out! 26 B-R3 is the move. Black defends with 26 . . . R-B3, and there follows 27 P-B7, R-QB1. Black's defense is hanging by a thread. How much longer can he stand the strain of White's incursion?

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