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French Defense – MacCutcheon Variation

The MacCutcheon variation of the French Defense was played for the first time against the Steinitz by John McCutcheon in a simultaneous game. He defeated the world champion in what...

The French Defense – Rubinstein Variation

The Rubinstein variation of the French defense is very specific and does not feature the usual French defense pawn structure. This is typical of the French defense. This blocked center...

French Defense With 4. Bg5: Burn Variation

The Burn variation is one of the most common lines of the French defense. It is commonly played at the top level and features some open play. Very often, the...

Opening Principles: How To Develop Your Pieces Quickly

Did you ever find yourself moving the same piece three times in the opening ? Or did you move your Queen early, only to let your opponent to harass it...

The French Tarrasch

The Tarrasch variation is one of the most interesting ways to fight the French defense. The Tarrasch variation was rarely played against the French defense until a certain Anatoly Karpov...

French Defense – Steinitz Variation

The Steinitz variation of the French Defense is one of the most common ways to handle this opening with both colors. It appears after White avoids playing either: 3. e5,...

French Defense – Winawer Variation

It is time to speak about the Winawer variation of the French Defense ! How to characterize it ? Clearly, it is a razor-sharp opening, with a lot of crazy...

Develop Your Pieces !

This is the second article about opening principles for beginners. The first one was about controlling the center and this is of course really important. Now the next question arising...

French Defense – Exchange Variation

The exchange variation of the French Defense ? Read through a few generic opening books for beginners and you will be lucky if the exchange variation gets more than a...

Opening principles: How To Control The Center

Here you are in your journey to become a strong Chess player. You know how pieces are moving. Also, you have already learnt many tactical patterns, (like the fork, the...