French—Analysis

I haven't been playing for a very long time, but I occasionally visit chess websites to find interesting games to analyse. With so much time spent on treasure hunts (both hunting as well as setting questions) and running, I hardly have much time left for chess analysis. However, whenever I can find the time I'd spend hours hovering over a chess board to study positions. Chess analysis, just like treasure hunt questions, can be quite addictive.

I know there are some of you who love chess, and maybe still play the game on a regular basis. I'd like to share a very interesting game I found, which I spent quite a lot of time analysing. My personal favourite is the Dragon Sicilian, but I've also read widely on the French Defense. Unfortunately, I've lost most of my knowledge. Such a waste when I think of the amount of time I've spent to learn all those moves etc.

1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5

A textbook approach in the French where Black challenges White for the central squares immediately.

3. e5 c5

White avoids an early exchange of pawns. Black in turn challenges White's pawn base at d4.

4. Nf3 Nc6

White defends his d pawn, and Black continues attacking it with his knight.

5. Bb5 Qb6

White develops his king's bishop by pinning the black knight. Black answers by developing his queen while attacking the white bishop.

6. Nc3 cxd4

White develops his queen's knight while defending his bishop. Black takes the d pawn while attacking the knight on c3.

7. Nxd4 Bd7
8. Bxc6 bxc6

After the exchange on d4, Black develops his bishop and thus breaking the pin on his knight. White takes the knight on c6, and Black takes back with his pawn—a strange-looking proceeding which limits the scope of his own bishop. But the reason Black takes back with the b pawn is because he plans to use it to support his central pawns. His central pawns will soon march down the board, thus cramping White's game.

9. 0-0 c5
10. Nf3 Ne7
11. Ne2 Nf5
12. c3 Be7

At this stage, White has developed 2 minor pieces and made the short castle. Black has developed 3 minor pieces and his queen. His last move also clears the way for the short castle. In terms of development, Black is slightly better. In terms of structure, I think Black is also more superior. White's pawn on e5 can quickly become a liability rather than an asset. Black can very quickly pile up on that e5 pawn and probably can win it soon. Perhaps White would like to develop his queen's bishop, but he can't develop it yet since the black queen is bearing on the b2 pawn. Therefore:

13. b3 a5
14. c4 d4

Black declines the exchange to maintain his advantage. As a general rule, the side which has the space advantage will try not to exchange, whereas the side suffering the limited space will try to trade down for the sake of piece mobility.

15. Bg5 f6
16. exf6 gxf6

White takes the f pawn with his e pawn, and Black takes back with his g pawn. It is now clear that black isn't going to castle after all. Instead he has opened up the g file to activate his king's rook while at the same time attacking the white bishop. A very strong and efficient move!

17. Bf4 Rg8

Not many choices for White, he can of course retreat to, say, d2 but that's a dubious move. The idea is for that bishop to retreat to the kingside for defensive purposes. On the other hand, Black begins his offensive mission with his rook.

18. h3 e5
19. Bh2

White creates an escape square for his poor bishop. Black builds up on his domination of the central squares while attacking the white bishop. The latter retreats to h2. It makes sense to be near to his king since it's obvious that the attack is coming very quickly.

Now how should Black continue at this point? Can you guess Black's next move?