First Steps: The French (Everyman Chess)

I've used Lakdawala's short, yet sharp, analysis effectively against masters and experts in weekend tournaments, and have achieved all three possible results! My current rating is 2108 USCF. Especially valuable have been the annotations to Gashimov - Carlsen, Monaco 2011.For example, after 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 de4: "With Black's last move, the position transposed to a line of the Rubinstein, but I think one more favorable for Black than in the Rubinstein proper, since the inclusion of Bg5 helps Black. Why? Because after Black plays ...Be7, White will either be forced to swap pieces, or back down and lose time. And since Black is cramped, each swap is helpful." The book is full of clear, concise explanations like the one above. At least two options are given against White's various set-ups, letting the reader play through the games and decide which lines appeal to him or her. After reading, I've learned I prefer 3...Nf6 in response to 3 Nc3, 3...c5 against the Tarrasch, and 5...Qb6 with 6...Nh6 in the Advanced. Interesting is Cyrus' straightforward recommendation of ...0-0-0 to sharpen the exchange lines. I have yet to use this idea in a tournament game, but won't fear a lower rated player's attempt to draw, should 3 ed5 be played. Using this book and Moskalenko's The Even More Flexible French has given me a solid second repertoire against 1 e4, behind my main weapon of 1...e5. First Steps: The French is more than enough for players below the 2000 rating level to face 1 e4 comfortably. If these players absorb the material provided in this book, any loss with the French will not be a result of the opening stage.

Some of this book is filler where the author seems to try to impress us with his education or his understanding of language. As an intermediate club player , I found this book too advanced ,not really first steps at all. His analysis of games is good, but I would’ve liked to have seen more emphasis on middlegame plans and ideas. The book I went to next which was actually exactly what I wanted was“ How to Play Against e4” by Neil McDonald. It explains the French middle game plans and tabiya without a lot of the irrelevant exposition ; also it’s more of a repertoire book or system book with emphasis on the black defense.

I don't have an exact rating to give this book. I am giving it 3 stars because it did not meet my expectations. I expected a simplified book on the opening. I could use step by step understanding of what is going on. It is about as clear as most newer chess books with less information. I was expecting a book to provide clearer understanding of principles to learn with the French. I get lost and there is no way I can, or desire, to memorize lines. I concede that I am a poor chess player and that this limits the value of my review. That is why I state that my review is based on unmet expectations. There are books and video lessons out there that meet my expectations, these being that I will learn principles and positional understanding from them.

I'm almost finished my first work through of Cyrus Lakdawala's new book on the French, so I'm providing an initial assessment, to be amended as necessary later on. I am strongly inclined to buy (and read!) Lakdawala's books: he is one of the most prolific modern chess authors, but he consistently delivers work of good quality. This is no exception.The book is the first of a new Everyman series intended for a demographic of young and/or beginning to intermediate players. As such, it does not pretend to be encyclopedic. Instead, it offers “first steps” in the French Defence, a well-respected opening. From mastering this book a reader is meant to be able to continue to other, more advanced and nuanced works on the French. Does this book succeed?Yes, unequivocally. In each chapter Lakdawala provides fully annotated, key games which demonstrate effective play of a given line, e.g., the Advance Variation, the Exchange, the Classical. It would be easy, after studying a particular variation, to move to any standard chess database to identify further examples along similar lines. Approximately a third of the annotated games were played by the author, which assures the reader that Lakdawala is offering advice based on his own tournament practice with the French, thus an insider willing to initiate a newbie in the opening. Also helpful are the Index of Variations, the Index of Games, and the Bibliography, as well as Lakdawala's lively prose style (try to read through a turgid book written by one of the old Soviet Grandmasters if you don't think this matters).In nearly 60 years of tournament play, I have never employed the French. However, I'm now moving to adopt the French as my main response to 1. e4; I was strongly guided in my choice by the publication of this specific book, which makes the transition much easier. I have several other books on the French, but none as concise and thoughtful. I recommend it highly. (Disclosure: I am rated 1850 USCF.)

just fine

As a beginner in chess, I really appreciate this book. It shows the crucial IDEAS behind each variation of the French Defence, not only variations. Therefore, if I run out of memory in a determined position, by knowing the ideas I can find the right plan to outplay my opponents. Definitely it was an excellent purchase.

The usual good and entertaining book from Mr. Lakdawala, with very good basic coverage of the french defense! I definitely recommend it for those who want to take up this opening and look for an introductory book.