Expert: Len Molden - 12/13/2011

Question
QUESTION: For the French Defence,  I am wondering what are white's usual third moves and the reason behinf for making such a move?

Thank you very much

ANSWER: Hi Edward,

The usual third moves in the French Defence are Nc3 and e5.

3.Nc3
=====
The reason for 3.Nc3 is that is develops a piece and protects the pawn at e4, so that if Black captures the pawn, White will recapture with the Knight and have it posted on an ideal square. The main lines after Nc3 are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Defence#Main_Line:_3.Nc3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bipkeVe--Sc

3.e5
=====
The move 3.e5 is called the Advance Variation and its purpose is to cramp Black's game. It not only prevents the development of Black's Knight to its best first move square of f6, but it also can sometimes lead to a Kingside attack with a phalanx of pawn moves like f4 and f5.

Here's a good article on it:

http://www.chess.com/article/view/the-advance-variation-of-the-french-defence

Regards,

Len




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reponse,

but what are white usual 3rd move for the siclian defence/


Thanks.

Answer
Hi Edward,

The usual 3rd move in the Sicilian Defense is:

3.Nf3
=====
The reason for 3.Nf3 is that is develops a piece and protects the pawn at d4, so that if Black captures the pawn, White will recapture with the Knight and have it posted on an ideal square. Of course, much depends on what Black's 2nd move is. The main lines are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence

http://chessgames.com/perl/chessopening?eco=B403

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzydxPgPKzs

Depending on Black's 2nd move, White sometimes plays either:

3.Nc3
=====

or

3.c3
=====

Refer to the links above to see the theory, as there is so much on it.

Regards,

Len