Win with the French! PGN Only Feb 11, 2026 Chessable

A Cutting-Edge French Defense to Compete With

In the world of competitive chess, the French Defense strikes a perfect balance: sound, but with plenty of counterattacking chances.

But to play it at a high level, general principles aren’t enough – you need concrete answers to the most testing lines White can throw at you.

Win with the French! brings you novel solutions to battle White’s most critical tests. This comprehensive repertoire for Black is a detailed look into the most important French theory today – with hard-hitting advancements that keep Black dangerous.

Your guide is 10-time Greek Chess Champion GM Vassilios Kotronias. Both an accomplished player and prolific author, GM Kotronias has proven over decades that his opening expertise isn’t just theoretical – it gets results.

His meticulous dissection of the French stays true to the standard of Quality Chess publications. In each of the major variations, GM Kotronias outlines the key variations and thoroughly explains the advantages and disadvantages of each for both sides. He then offers sound yet aggressive solutions with which you can play for a win – including many novelties.

Recommendations Built for Tough Battles

No “low-theory” system approaches here. This repertoire is designed to bring the heat at each turn, even if that means getting your hands dirty. The goal is not to get something that is merely ‘playable’ – the goal is to challenge White as much as possible. You’ll play:

♞ 5…Bd7 in the Advance Variation – GM Kotronias offers an excellent explanation why this subtle difference is superior to the common 5…Qb6, and why your queenside and central counterplay is much more effective as a result

♞ 4…Nc6 in the Exchange Variation – another surprise! While the usual …Bd6 and …c6 setup is much more common, the recommended …Nc6 setups lead to interesting piece play which spices up the normally drawish Exchange Variation

See how this repertoire does the Exchange differently – with
an active bishop pair and targets to focus on

♞ The Open Tarrasch with 3…c5 – where you’ll refuse to suffer through White’s slow, steady buildup and challenging them from the outset

♞ A three-headed …Nf6 in the Classical 3.Nc3 Variation – depending on White’s next moves, you’ll either play an offbeat and dynamic Rubinstein Variation, an ever-tricky MacCutcheon Variation, or a Steinitz Variation that melts White’s center like butter

This isn’t your typical Rubinstein: you’ll capture with the g-pawn
to keep your bishop pair and dynamic chances thriving

Plus, you’ll get elegant answers to White’s sideline attempts like the King’s Indian Attack, Schlechter Variation (3.Bd3), Papa-Ticulat Gambit (3.b3) and more.

At an average line depth of 15 moves, you’ll dive deep enough to be prepared for the middlegame, while not wasting time on long, rare lines that aren’t worth memorizing.