The Advance Variation is a popular and direct way of meeting the ultra-solid French Defence. Very early on in the game White opts to fix the pawn structure and establishes a genuine space advantage, upon which he later hopes to mount a serious attack. This method of playing against the French Defence has become a firm favourite amongst uncompromising Grandmasters such as Alexei Shirov, England's Nigel Short and the rising star in Russia, Alexander Grischuk.

In this book, opening expert Sam Collins explains the strategies and tactics of this dynamic opening, studying both the main lines as well as the more offbeat variations. Through the use of model games for both White and Black, he provides a thorough grounding in the key plans and ideas, so that readers can quickly and confidently begin to use the French Advance in their own games.

• Ideal for club and tournament players
• Explains the basic elements, strategies and tactics for both sides

Provides everything you need to know to start playing the opening straightaway.

004 Bibliography

005 Acknowledgements

007 Preface

012 Introduction: Key Concepts in the Advance French

020 1 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 c4

046 2 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 Nh6

070 3 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.a3 Others

079 4 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Be2

093 5 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Be2

123 6 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 without 6.Be2

133 7 4...Nc6 5.Nf3 Nge7 & 5...Nh6

149 8 4...Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7

168 9 Irregular Lines

175 Index of Complete Games