French Defence - Top-Level Repertoire for Black
GM Ivan Cheparinov is back with another fascinating project - French Defence - Top-Level Repertoire for Black. Nowadays, finding a reliable way to play for a win against 1.e4 is a challenge everyone faces. The French Defence provides you with the chance to create complicated positions that are based on solid strategic patterns.
In this repertoire, GM Cheparinov provides a repertoire that can be used at any level. It goes without saying that the material is rich in in-depth analysis and strong novelties. Therefore, we suggest that you study this database only if you are really committed to working hard!
The course consists of 15 huge theoretical chapters, 15 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (7+ Hours).
Now, we shall take a brief look at the structure of the course.
Rare 2nd White’s moves
In Chapter 1 the emphasis is on the less popular alternatives of the main move 2.d4 as follows:
- 2.f4 d5 and Black has more than one good option in reply to 3.Nc3;
- 2.b3 d5 with much evidence of why the gambit 3.Bb2 should better be declined with 3…Nc6!
- 2.Qe2 is the only move for stopping 2…d5, but Black can confidently continue in the spirit of the Sicilian with 2…c5;
- the KID reversed 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 and the similar reaction 3…c5;
Chapter 2 finishes the theme by coverage of 2.Nf3 d5. The conclusion, analogously to the 1st Chapter, is that any time 3.Nc3 is played without a pawn on d4, 3…d4! is a proper answer to it;
2.d4 d5 and White’s Minor Options on the 3rd Move
Chapter 3 is about 3.Bd3, after 3…dxe4 4.Bxe4 Nf6 5.Bf3 c5 6.Ne2 Be7 7.Nbc3 0-0 8.Be3 the recommended solution for Black is 8…Qa5!?, intending to exert pressure on the d4-pawn;
Chapter 4 deals with the Exchange System 3.exd5 exd5, which has been considered harmless before the discovery of 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bd3 Bd6 6.Qe2!?
At that moment 6…Qe7 is the most reliable reply to that crafty check and after 7.Qxe7 Kxe7 8.Nc3 the author comes up with the valuable innovation 8…a6! instead of 8…c6, thus keeping various opportunities to attack the central d4-pawn;
The Advanced Variation 3.e5 c5
The leading alternative to 4.c3 is presented in Chapter 5. After 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.0-0 the author points out the opportunity to precede Ng8-e7 by 6…Bc5!? and proves its viability;
In the next Chapter 6, he is deeply delving into the main line of the Advanced Variation 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 and, true to his general approach, into the relatively rare, but very entertaining 5…Bd7 6.Be2 Nge7, based on 7.0-0 Nf5 8.dxc5 a5!? Besides, White’s earlier deviations, such as the most important ones 6.Bd3, 6.a3 and 7.Na3, are conscientiously reviewed;
Chapters 7-10 are dedicated to the Tarrasch and 3.Nd2 c5
Notes about 4.dxc5 and the other White’s rare choices on the 4th move can be found in Chapter 7;
The suggestion in Chapter 8 is to meet 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 with 5…Nf6 6.exd5 Nxd5, Black should gradually equalize;
Similarly, the reaction to 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.dxc5 in Chapter 9 is again 5…Nf6, which is not the most popular continuation as well. So is on the next move, namely 6.Ngf3 Qxc5 instead of taking with the bishop;
In Chapter 10 the main line 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 is discussed and the author’s recommendation is 6…Qd7!?
He is deeply exploring its consequences, as well as various move orders. Noteworthy, as an exception from the rule, here Black is usually postponing and carefully deciding about the development of Ng8;
The initial position in the remaining Chapters is 3.Nc3 Nf6
In Chapter 11 the central exchange 4.exd5 and the other rare White’s opportunities on move 4 are briefly mentioned;
Chapter 12 covers the main deviation 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2 (including the move order 5.f4 c5 6.Nce2) with the intention of building a pawn chain. Their subtleties are thoroughly explained by the author;
Chapter 13 pays attention to the rare 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.dxc5, when, besides 6…Bxc5, Black has the preliminary 6...Nc6 with good play;
The final two Chapters are the heaviest from a theoretical point of view and importance respectively.
In Chapter 14 the principled gambit variation 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qb6 9.Qd2 is analyzed (including the rest of White’s options on the same move) in depth;
The subject of Chapter 15 is the other main choice 4.Bg5 and the invitation to sharp play with 4…dxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6!?
Besides the investigation of White’s numerous opportunities on moves 7 and 9, the author goes into great detail about the most popular sequence 7.Nf3 f5 8.Nc3 a6 9.g3 b5 10.Bg2 Bb7, etc. The conclusion is that Black enjoys an adequate counterplay in all the lines.
SAMPLE CHAPTER
SAMPLE VIDEO