The French

Tarrasch
IM Lawrence Trent
Question 1.
White to play.
What happens if Black decides
to cover the check with Nfd7?

Question 2.
Which of the following
statements is correct?
a) Lawrence recommends 9.0-0
sacrificing the pawn.
b) Lawrence recommends
9.dxc5, which is the best move.
c) 9.Nb3 is the best move to
defend the pawn and Lawrence
should study more himself!

Question 3.
Do you remember what the key
move in this position is for
White?

Question 4.
White to play.
Do you remember the best and
beautiful sequence for White in
this moment?

Question 5.
White to play.
Nd4 is a bad move as Lawrence
explained.
Find the continuation that
decides the game in White's
favour.

Question 6.
Black to play.
Can Black take the pawn on b2?
a) Yes, with an advantage
b) No, because of Bh6, with
attack
c) No, it loses the game
immediately

Question 7.
White to play.
Find the move that almost
destroys Black's position.

Question 8.
White to play. 7...Nc6 is not a
very precise move. Do you
remember why?
Find the next two moves for
White.

Question 9.
Lawrence recommends Bg5,
but can't White take the pawn
on d4 now?
a) Yes, and it is the best move.
b) It is not the best move
because Black can get the pawn
back after some tactics.
c) No, if White takes the pawn
he has to resign immediately.

Question 10.
Why is 7...f6 imprecise?
Find the best continuation for
White.

The French
Tarrasch

The Solutions.

Bc6 and White wins a whole rook since Black cannot capture due to the lack of
space for the queen.
a The Korchnoi Gambit
1.Nd4!
1.Nxe6! fxe6 2.Qh5+ Ke7 3.Bg5+ hxg5 4.Qxh8
1.Qg4! Nf5 2.Bxf5 exf5 3.Qxg7
No, the Queen is trapped after 1...Qxb2 2.Nc4 Qb5 3.a4 Qa6 4.Rfb1! c5 5.Nb6!
(2.Bh6? Nh5)
1.Qh5! playing on the pinned f7 pawn.
8.Ne4 Qd8 9.Qe2 followed by Rd1.
b - 1.Nbxd4 Nxd4 2.Nxd4 Bxh2+ 3.Kxh2 Qxd4 wins back the pawn.
8.Nf4! Qe7 9.Nf3 cxd4 10.cxd4 fxe5 11.dxe5 Ndxe5 12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.Qh5+ Nf7
14.O-O gives White a very good position.

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