[CHESS] French Defence (Exchange Variation 3. Bd3 Move Order) | Fontaine - Carlsen 2018

An instructive game that introduces the Exchange Variation in the French Defence. Some ideas in the Schlechter Variation (3. Bd3 sideline) and how to avoid it by transposing to the Exchange Variation are discussed

With the White pieces we have GM Robert Fontaine, a grandmaster originally from France, but who now plays for Switzerland. He is also a chess journalist. More about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...

With the Black pieces we have GM Magnus Carlsen, a grandmaster from Norway who has won a number of prestigious tournaments including the Norwegian Chess Championship, and also I guess the world chess championships from 2013 up to and including 2021. I think he also won Tata Steel this year (in 2022), that's pretty cool. To be completely dishonest, I've never heard of Magnus Carlsen, and neither have you. Who is this guy? I guess there's more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_...

This particular game was played during the PRO Chess League in 2018. This is a rapid event so the moves are a bit less accurate than usual, especially near the end. More information about that tournament in general can be found at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_PRO_Chess_League_Season

Lichess Study: lichess.org/study/YMUeboT9/5wscoqk8#0

Sources: Lifetime Repertoire: Giri's French Defense (course on Chessable). www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-giri-s-french-defense/course/42549/

Special Thanks: FM Mike Ivanov & CM Koosha Jaferian.