The French Defence is one of the most popular and reliable responses to 1.e4. Black invites his opponent to gain space in the centre, with the intention of undermining the enemy position and launching a counterattack. Although the amount of theory has expanded in recent years, the French often leads to positions where positional and strategic understanding prove more relevant than long sequences of computer-generated moves.

Grandmaster Repertoire 14 - The French Defence 1 introduces the Winawer Variation after the opening moves 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4, and provides expert recommendations against all of White’s major possibilities, with the exception of the most critical 7.Qg4 line which will receive special coverage in Volume Two of the series. Volume Three will deal with the Tarrasch, Advance and all of White’s other options.

Emanuel Berg is a Swedish grandmaster with a peak rating of 2627. Twice Swedish Champion, he is known both for his aggressive playing style and for his thorough opening preparation. He is a lifelong devotee of the French Defence, having played it successfully for more than two decades.

content:
003 Preface

006 Key to Symbols used & Bibliography

4th Move Options

007 1 4.Bd2 and 4.Qd3

021 2 4.Qg4

035 3 4.Bd3

049 4 4.a3

4.Ne2

069 5 Introduction

085 6 6.e5

099 7 6.Be3

4.exd5

111 8 Introduction and 8.Qf3

123 9 Main Line with 8.Qh5

5th Move Options

139 10 5.Nf3 and 5.dxc5

5.Qg4

145 11 Introduction

159 12 6.dxc5 - without 8.0-0-0 and 8.Nf3

173 13 Main Lines with 8.0-0-0 and 8.Nf3

5.Bd2

185 14 Introduction

197 15 6.Bxh6!?

209 16 6.Nb5

7th Move Options

221 17 7.Bd3 and 7.h4

235 18 7.Nf3

7.a4

251 19 Introduction

261 20 9.Qd2

281 21 9.Bd2 Bd7 - Move 10 Alternatives

291 22 10.Bb5

301 23 10.Be2

317 Variation Index