French: 6.a3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Nge7 is variation 2 of 6 in the The Advance against the French and Caro-Kann course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO C02). It runs 27 moves and begins 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 …. Black opens the c-file and brings a knight to f5 to attack d4. White hits the queen with Na4 and answers the check with b4. White wins space and time on the queenside. 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.
1... e6 – The French Defence.
2. d4 – White builds a big centre.
2... d5 – Black attacks e4.
3. e5 – The Advance Variation. White grabs space.
3... c5 – Black hits the pawn chain at once.
4. c3 – White supports d4.
4... Nc6 – Black adds a second attacker on d4.
5. Nf3 – White defends d4 again.
5... Qb6 – The queen hits d4 and b2.
6. a3 – White prepares b4 for queenside space.
6... cxd4 – Black opens the c-file before White can push to b4.
7. cxd4 – White takes back with the pawn and keeps a strong centre.
7... Nge7 – The knight heads for f5 to attack d4 a third time.
8. Nc3 – White develops and gets ready to jump to a4 with tempo.
8... Nf5 – Now three black pieces attack d4.
The lesson goes on for 11 more moves, each with its explanation.
More in The Advance against the French and Caro-Kann
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