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As a matter of fact as I annotate for the state magazine more and more I notice people playing against me differently than they would against every one else. For instance last year at the class championships, some one who normally plays the Taimanov variation of the Sicilian defense played the rather solid Scandinavian! This was rather disconcerting. So I decided that two can play at that game. So I have decided not only to employ the Sicilian but also the French in this upcoming Michigan Open. Which brings me to the topic of this article. The Classical French has been treating me very well for years! The more I study it the more I think that the counter play is often times just as quick as in some lines of the Sicilian! Shirov, Morozevich and Korchnoi do a great job of inspiring a young player to play the French! So why the french? What makes it such a good choice? Why do a lot of players wishing avoid the complexities of the Sicilian take this up? For one thing the French has a very solid and resistant pawn structure. The counter play is a lot faster than most white players would like to admit. It’s a great compliment how ever still disappointing when a white player decides to play the exchange variation of the French because they shy away from the problems which black can set white. This article will show you the problems with which black can set white if he or she is not careful! Lets begin with one of my favorite players on the black side! Polgar, Judit - Shirov,A [C11] French Defense, Steinitz variation (5.e5) Euro Tel Trophy, Prague, 1999 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 7...Qb6 is the main alternative. The old 7...a6 is not seen anymore. 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Qd2 0-0 10.0-0-0 a6
It used to be thought that the middle games that arise in these positions were clearly in favor of white, but after 7…Qb6 came under a cloud of interest in the line with …Bc5 and there are those who believe expansion on the queenside grant black good chances. 11.h4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b5 Both sides begin their attacks. 13. Rh3 b4
A useful gain of tempo. 14. Ne2 a5 15.Qe3 Qc7 16.Bxc5 Nxc5 17.Nd4 a4 18.Kb1 a3!? This is rather committal but Shirov knows that he has the initiative and so tries to go for blood at the earliest opportunity. 19.b3 Ba6 20.Bxa6 Rxa6
So black has managed to get rid of his bishop and still continue the attack. 21.Qe1 Rb6 Take a look at the big hole at e4. Now imagine a black knight on that square. That’s what Shirov was doing! 22.c3 Qb7 23.Rc1 Ne4! 24.cxb4 Rxb4 25.Rd3 Rc4 26.Rxc4
If 26.Rdd1 then Rfc8 and Judit is under a lot of pressure, but Shirov now gets her very quickly! 26…dxc4 27.Rd1 Nc5 28.Qc3 Qxg2 29.b4 Nd3 30.Qxa3 Ra8!
This is my favorite move of the game showcasing the hopelessness in whites position. 31.Rxd3 cxd3 32.Qxd3 Qxa2+ 33.Kc1 Qa1+ 34.Kd2 Rd8 35.Ke3 Qe1+ 0-1
Blacks Chances look very good to me in this line. Of course this is only one game but in my next article I will be skipping the Introduction and getting right to the action. I will feature another game from this line with Kasparov handling the white pieces with the same Shirov defending! Then if I have time I will introduce you to the wonderful world of the Burn variation! Specifically the lines with gxf6! I might dedicate a whole series of articles to the Burn. It certainly leads to some exciting games. Until then may all your sacrifices be sound and all of your gambits accepted. Also if you have any questions about this game or any other opening feel free to email me at: Basqueknight@gmail.com May Caissa bless all your games!
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