French Defense: Advance, Paulsen, Milner-Barry Gambit
French Defense
Definition
The French Defense is a classical reply to 1. e4, characterized by the counter-thrust 1…e6. Black immediately prepares …d5 to challenge White’s center while keeping a solid pawn chain (e6–d5–e6) that influences the dark squares.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 is the tabiya. From here White chooses among the Exchange (3.exd5), the Tarrasch (3.Nd2), the Classical (3.Nc3), the Advance (3.e5), or rarer sidelines such as 3.Bd3 or 3.c4.
Strategic Themes
- Counter-punching: Black often accepts a spatial disadvantage in return for dynamic counterplay against White’s center.
- Pawn Structure: The locked pawn chain e6–d5 versus e4–d4 creates a clear “good” (c8-bishop) and “bad” (c8 or e7-bishop) bishop for Black, giving both sides long‐term plans.
- Minority Attacks and Breaks: Typical breaks include …c5, …f6 and sometimes …g5 in the Winawer or …c4 in the Rubinstein.
Historical Significance
The name stems from the correspondence games of the Paris Chess Club (1834–36) against the London Chess Club, in which the French team repeatedly chose 1…e6. It became a staple in the repertoires of Aron Nimzowitsch, Mikhail Botvinnik, Viktor Korchnoi, and more recently Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja.
Illustrative Game
Botvinnik vs. Korchnoi, USSR Championship 1961 showcased Black’s thematic …c5 break and queenside expansion.
Interesting Facts
- Korchnoi used the French Defense in three World Championship matches (1978, 1981, 1984 candidates), scoring several crucial wins against Anatoly Karpov’s 1.e4.
- The word “French” appears in opening names more often than any other nationality in modern databases—proof of its enduring popularity.
Advance (Advance Variation of the French)
Definition
The Advance Variation arises after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5. White locks the center immediately, grabbing space on the kingside and restricting Black’s light-squared bishop.
Main Idea
By fixing the pawn chain, White hopes to mount a slow kingside attack behind the pawns f2–e5–d4 while stopping Black’s natural break …f6. Black, in turn, attacks the base of the chain with …c5 and targets the d4 pawn.
Plans for Both Sides
- White
- Reinforce d4 with c3 or c4.
- Expand on the kingside with f4, g4, h4, or even f5.
- Maintain the space advantage and maneuver pieces (Nf3–e1–d3–f4).
- Black
- Break with …c5 (immediately or after …Nc6) and pressure d4 via the half-open c-file.
- Exchange the dark-squared bishop with …Bd7–a4 or employ the Modern setup …b6–Ba6.
- Strike later with …f6 to undermine e5 once the position is ripe.
Representative Line
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 – the celebrated 5…Qb6 line leading to the Milner-Barry Gambit (see below).
Historical Note
The Advance was popularized by Aron Nimzowitsch in the 1910s, viewing the pawn wedge on e5 as a “cramp” that Black must solve creatively, embodying his hypermodern ideas.
Trivia
- In elite play, the Advance became the most frequent response to the French in the 2010s, overtaking the Winawer and Tarrasch for several years.
- Many computer engines now choose 3.e5 as their default against the French, citing long-term space and stable king safety.
Paulsen (Paulsen Variation of the Sicilian Defense)
Definition
The Paulsen Variation is a flexible Sicilian setup in which Black delays the development of his king’s knight, typically forming the structure …e6 and …a6. The canonical move order is 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6. It is also called the Kan or Kan-Paulsen.
Strategic Hallmarks
- Flexibility: By postponing …Nf6 and …d6, Black can react to White’s setup with …Qc7, …b5, or …d5 in one move.
- Small Centers: The pawn chain e6–c5 argues for a restrained central presence, unlike the Najdorf or Classical Sicilian.
- Half-Open c-file Pressure: The rook on c8 often targets c4 or c2 after …Qc7 and …b5-b4.
Origins and Naming
Louis Paulsen (1833-1891) advocated the concept of prophylaxis and pawn flexibility. His early games against Adolf Anderssen featured the moves …e6 and …a6, predating many modern ideas about the Sicilian.
Typical Continuations
- 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O Bb4 – leading to complex piece play.
- 5. Bd3 Bc5 – “Paulsen vs. Fischer” line championed by Anatoly Karpov in the 1980s.
Example Game
Ivanchuk vs. Carlsen, Morelia/Linares 2009 demonstrated Black’s perfect coordination in the Paulsen.
Interesting Facts
- Because the structure avoids an early …d6, the Paulsen allows a direct …d5 break as early as move 6, sidestepping some of the sharpest Anti-Sicilians.
- Garry Kasparov used a Paulsen move order to defeat Veselin Topalov in Wijk aan Zee 1999, a game famous for its spectacular queen sacrifice 24…Rxd4!!
Milner-Barry Gambit
Definition
The Milner-Barry Gambit is an aggressive pawn sacrifice for White in the French Defense Advance Variation. The key position arises after:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3
White voluntarily leaves the d4 pawn en prise to obtain rapid development and attacking chances on the kingside.
Concept and Goals
- Sacrifice of the d-pawn (and sometimes the c-pawn) to open lines for pieces.
- Quick castling queenside and launching a rook lift (Rh1-e1-e4-g4).
- Pressuring Black’s queen on b6 and the f7-square.
Main Line
6…cxd4 7. cxd4 Bd7 8. O-O Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Qxd4 10. Nc3 – White is a pawn down but is ready for Be3, Qe2, and Rd1 with attacking play.
History and Etymology
The line is named after British master Sir Leonard Milner-Barry (1906-1995), a codebreaker at Bletchley Park during World War II and an avid chess enthusiast. He championed the idea of sacrificing pawns in the French long before computer engines validated its soundness.
Practical Tips
- If Black declines with 6…Bd7 or 6…Nh6, White can still castle queenside and push for c4, seizing space.
- After accepting the gambit, Black must return material accurately or face a dangerous attack. Typical antidote: 10…Qxe5!?, liquidating queens.
Model Game
Tal vs. Benko, Budapest 1952 – The future World Champion offered the Milner-Barry pawn and scored a crushing win after a rook sacrifice on e6.
Trivia
- In online blitz, the gambit scores above 55 % for White in databases of 1 million+ games—impressive for a pawn sacrifice.
- Many French specialists (e.g., Ulf Andersson, Viktor Korchnoi) prefer to decline the gambit, citing the risk of walking into prepared attacking lines.