French: 5...Qb6 6.a3 c4 is variation 1 of 6 in the The Advance against the French and Caro-Kann course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C02). It runs 25 moves and begins 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 …. Black closes the queenside with 6...c4 and aims the knight at b3. White guards b3 with the rook, then gains space on the kingside with the h-pawn. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre and opens lines for the queen and a bishop.
1... e6 – The French Defence. Black prepares to hit e4 with the d-pawn.
2. d4 – White builds a big centre with two pawns.
2... d5 – Black attacks the e4 pawn.
3. e5 – The Advance Variation. The pawn grabs space and takes f6 away from Black's knight.
3... c5 – Black hits the base of White's pawn chain at once.
4. c3 – White supports d4 with a pawn. Now c3, d4 and e5 form a chain.
4... Nc6 – Black adds a second attacker on d4.
5. Nf3 – White defends d4 again and develops a piece.
5... Qb6 – The main line. The queen hits d4 and b2 together.
6. a3 – White prepares b4 to gain space. The pawn also covers b4 against a knight or bishop.
6... c4 – Black closes the queenside and stops b4 for good.
7. Nbd2 – The knight is ready to jump to b3 or f1. It also guards b3 for now.
7... Na5 – Black eyes b3, a great outpost for the knight.
8. Rb1 – The rook guards b2 and b3. Now the b-pawn is safe from the queen.
8... Bd7 – Black develops and connects the pieces.
The lesson goes on for 9 more moves, each with its explanation.
More in The Advance against the French and Caro-Kann
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