Openings

Against the French: Advance Variation

A closed centre: build the chain, answer pressure on d4 and recognise the …f6 break.

Club foundations · 1000–1400Intermediate · 1400–1600Toward 1800 · 1600–1800

4 lessons · 32 min estimated practice

Free · No game imports needed

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White to move

Try the first position

Occupy d4, close with e5 and answer …c5 by supporting d4 with c3.

Build the pawn chain
Club foundations · 8 min
Pawns can gain space and support each other. Watch which pawn in your chain Black attacks with …c5.
Recognise queen pressure
Intermediate · 8 min
Black can add the queen to the pressure on d4 and also look toward b2. Develop and understand the preparation of b4.
Recapture and free c3
Intermediate · 8 min
A capture can improve a piece’s route. When the c3 pawn recaptures on d4, it frees the knight’s natural square.
Answer a pawn break without rushing
Toward 1800 · 8 min
…f6 attacks the head of your chain. Before exchanging on f6, check whether you can develop while keeping the centre defended.