This is a fully revised edition of John Watson's classic Play the French, providing Black with a complete repertoire in the French Defence, one of the most strategically and dynamically complex opening systems.
John Watson gives a repertoire for the French defense. Thus it is concentrating on practical help giving one or two lines at all junctions for the black player (of course covering all possible replies by white). This avoids cluttering the reader with all possible variations which he/she does not want to play anyway. Many ideas are explained and and preference is given on dynamic replies which create counter chances. I consider this book usefl for players from 1500 up. Essentially, it is THE standard for the french defense.
Review On Jun 16, 2005by Wallace H. of Berkeley, CA
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The best. The third edition of this book is simply incredible. The analysis is fresh and strong. This book is definitely quite "heavy" and not beginner's or people looking for a "quick-fix." In fact, you'd better prepare to work pretty hard to master the material in this classic.
But, believe me, Watson has done a ridiculous amount of work over several years putting together this repertoire. You have multiple systems in the lines given so that you're not 'forced' into playing something you're stylistically uncomfortable with. Pick your favorite line, study Watson's suggestions (and double check them of course!), and you'll be amazed at how much stronger you're defense to e4 has gotten.
As I said, this is a heavy-duty tome on the French and you need to work to understand what Watson is saying to you. But whatever effort you put in will be paid back 7-fold. I cannot imagine anyone writing a better book on this opening for the next several years.
If you want to play the french at all, get this book, choose your weapon, train with it, and watch your confidence and rating soar. I wish I could give this book 6 stars! It is far-and-away the best book on the French.
Review On Feb 28, 2006by Wesley Hungbui of Houston, TX
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It will make your rating soar!
Review On Jun 20, 2006by Keith Robertson of Austin, TX
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I need to make one thing clear. Some people think the French is a positional opening that leads to long boring endgames. Well they are all wrong! The French is one of the most agressive counter-attacking opening in all of chess. After reading this book I have slashed people rated hundreds of points higher than me.
There is absolutely nothing White can do to stop your counter play. In the Advance Variation you will demolish White's center. Also it is an exremely psychological opening. Many people think the French is for cowards that are afraid to get into the Sicilian. So White tries to over-do himself. This fails.
They think 1...e6 is a little sissy move, but little does White know that he has to suffer through massive counter attacks, usually involving a sacrifice on f3, which leads me to say this: You better be ready to sacrifce material to get an attack on the king or get over-whelming counter play. In countless of lines Black does the exchange sacrifice to get an edge. No one has beaten me with 1 e4 yet.
I almost beg my opponent to play 1 e4 because he will get slaughtered. White truly under estimates the power of the French and that's exactly what I want him to think. Let White think the French is crap and then show him the light by obliterating him into pieces.
This is the book to get to cover all of your French needs. It contains everything said above even the exchange sacrifices.
Only a few chess players work at chess to the best of their abilities.
Boris Gelfand
Puzzle Answer
1.Rd7! Bxd7 2.Qxd7 Qb6+ 3.Kh1 Re8 4.Rxe7! Rxe7 5.Bd6 Qxd6 6.Qxd6+- Gelfand-Salov, Madrid 1996 (Source: Anthology of Chess Combinations)
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