French Advance - OzChess

**Calvin** · 11-10-2010, 03:38 PM

Going through an old 1994 edition of the 'Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player' (Keene/Levy), I had a look at the 5.Be3 line of the Advance French, which runs

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Be3.

I was just wondering what the current status of this line is?

Also, looking at Keene's analysis, he offers nothing against 4...Qb6. This move isn't played that often, as it is not very flexible, but surely there a way to punish Black for commiting the queen so early?

**Igor Goldenberg** · 11-10-2010, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Calvin

Going through an old 1994 edition of the 'Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player' (Keene/Levy), I had a look at the 5.Be3 line of the Advance French, which runs

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Be3.

I was just wondering what the current status of this line is?

Also, looking at Keene's analysis, he offers nothing against 4...Qb6. This move isn't played that often, as it is not very flexible, but surely there a way to punish Black for commiting the queen so early?

Don't know much about Be3 line, but 4...Qb6 is certainly not a punishable offence

. In fact it's as good as 4...Nc6 and usually leads to the same positions.

**Calvin** · 11-10-2010, 04:58 PM

Yes I agree. However, it does seem that since Bd7 lines are so popular these days 5. Be3 is probably worth a shot, and it will appear on the board more often than not.

What isn't so clever is Keene and Levy offering you nowhere to go if you opponent plays 4...Qb6.

Cheers!

**Igor Goldenberg** · 11-10-2010, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Calvin

Yes I agree. However, it does seem that since Bd7 lines are so popular these days 5. Be3 is probably worth a shot, and it will appear on the board more often than not.

What isn't so clever is Keene and Levy offering you nowhere to go if you opponent plays 4...Qb6.

Cheers!

Isn't 5.c3 the main line?
If Bd7 is played to exchange light-squared bishops, then Nc6 is usually delayed until after exchange. Otherwise Bd7 does not lead to a distinct line.

**flavid dude** · 11-11-2010, 12:42 AM

I checked out the line on my 5,800,000 game database.

White results are truly appalling after Qb6, black scored 80%

**Pillsbury** · 11-11-2010, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by flavid dude

I checked out the line on my 5,800,000 game database.

White results are truly appalling after Qb6, black scored 80%

Yes, I agree. If Black knew White's intentions he would be doing him a favour by playing 4...Qb6, thus preventing him from entering the inferior 5. Be3 system. The real problem is not 4...Qb6 but rather 5...Qb6. That queen move is strong anyway, and White has invited it by removing the guard of his own b-pawn.

Regarding 4...Qb6, by spending a tempo advancing the e pawn White has conceded Black an initiative in the center and that is the whole basis of the Advance. White has to defend, consolidate, and since 4...Qb6 directly attacks d4 it hardly allows White to catch his breath any more than does ...Nc6. So how bad can ...Qb6 be?

In short, 4...Qb6 is punished by playing something other than 5. Be3.

**Noddy** · 11-11-2010, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Pillsbury

If Black knew White's intentions he would be doing him a favour by playing 4...Qb6, thus preventing him from entering the inferior 5. Be3 system.

I agree with this in principle, from a theoretical perspective - but not in practice. In the context of a real game, with the clocks ticking, I prefer to be annoying. If I knew that White was intending 5. Be3 and that it was his/her pet system, I'd very much want to prevent it.

**Garetoe** · 01-09-2011, 08:57 PM

5.Be3 is not threatening for Black. 5...cd4 is the best move, after which 6.Bd4 Nge7 and ...Nf5 gives Black a comfortable position where he can hope to attack the e5-pawn in the near future. 6...Nd4 7.Qd4 Ne7 is also quite good, as played in Freile Martin-Agdestein, Internet 2004.

11-10-2010, 03:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 268	French Advance Going through an old 1994 edition of the 'Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player' (Keene/Levy), I had a look at the 5.Be3 line of the Advance French, which runs 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Be3. I was just wondering what the current status of this line is? Also, looking at Keene's analysis, he offers nothing against 4...Qb6. This move isn't played that often, as it is not very flexible, but surely there a way to punish Black for commiting the queen so early?

11-10-2010, 04:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Igor Goldenberg Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 331	Originally Posted by Calvin Going through an old 1994 edition of the 'Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player' (Keene/Levy), I had a look at the 5.Be3 line of the Advance French, which runs 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Be3. I was just wondering what the current status of this line is? Also, looking at Keene's analysis, he offers nothing against 4...Qb6. This move isn't played that often, as it is not very flexible, but surely there a way to punish Black for commiting the queen so early? Don't know much about Be3 line, but 4...Qb6 is certainly not a punishable offence. In fact it's as good as 4...Nc6 and usually leads to the same positions. __________________ For private coaching email IgorGoldenberg@bluebottle.com Computer tells you what to play, a good coach explains why. The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule. H. L. Mencken

11-10-2010, 07:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Igor Goldenberg Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 331	Originally Posted by Calvin Yes I agree. However, it does seem that since Bd7 lines are so popular these days 5. Be3 is probably worth a shot, and it will appear on the board more often than not. What isn't so clever is Keene and Levy offering you nowhere to go if you opponent plays 4...Qb6. Cheers! Isn't 5.c3 the main line? If Bd7 is played to exchange light-squared bishops, then Nc6 is usually delayed until after exchange. Otherwise Bd7 does not lead to a distinct line. __________________ For private coaching email IgorGoldenberg@bluebottle.com Computer tells you what to play, a good coach explains why. The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule. H. L. Mencken

11-11-2010, 12:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
flavid dude Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 336	not good for white I checked out the line on my 5,800,000 game database. White results are truly appalling after Qb6, black scored 80% __________________ Box Hill Chess Club -website http://www.boxhillchess.org.au/ Canterbury Junior Chess Club -website [url]http://canterburychess.org.au/index.php

11-11-2010, 04:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Pillsbury Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1	Originally Posted by flavid dude I checked out the line on my 5,800,000 game database. White results are truly appalling after Qb6, black scored 80% Yes, I agree. If Black knew White's intentions he would be doing him a favour by playing 4...Qb6, thus preventing him from entering the inferior 5. Be3 system. The real problem is not 4...Qb6 but rather 5...Qb6. That queen move is strong anyway, and White has invited it by removing the guard of his own b-pawn. Regarding 4...Qb6, by spending a tempo advancing the e pawn White has conceded Black an initiative in the center and that is the whole basis of the Advance. White has to defend, consolidate, and since 4...Qb6 directly attacks d4 it hardly allows White to catch his breath any more than does ...Nc6. So how bad can ...Qb6 be? In short, 4...Qb6 is punished by playing something other than 5. Be3. __________________ When the student is ready, the master appears. ~Buddhist Proverb

11-10-2010, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 268	Yes I agree. However, it does seem that since Bd7 lines are so popular these days 5. Be3 is probably worth a shot, and it will appear on the board more often than not. What isn't so clever is Keene and Levy offering you nowhere to go if you opponent plays 4...Qb6. Cheers!

11-11-2010, 04:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Noddy Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toyland Posts: 256	Originally Posted by Pillsbury If Black knew White's intentions he would be doing him a favour by playing 4...Qb6, thus preventing him from entering the inferior 5. Be3 system. I agree with this in principle, from a theoretical perspective - but not in practice. In the context of a real game, with the clocks ticking, I prefer to be annoying. If I knew that White was intending 5. Be3 and that it was his/her pet system, I'd very much want to prevent it. __________________ Make Way for Noddy.

01-09-2011, 08:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Garetoe Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 24	5.Be3 is not threatening for Black. 5...cd4 is the best move, after which 6.Bd4 Nge7 and ...Nf5 gives Black a comfortable position where he can hope to attack the e5-pawn in the near future. 6...Nd4 7.Qd4 Ne7 is also quite good, as played in Freile Martin-Agdestein, Internet 2004.

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