Creating video courses with repertoire suggestions is certainly no easy task. In the main lines, there are often several variations that are more or less equal in strength and generally suitable for recommendation. In the French Defence (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5) being discussed here, for example, after the two main moves 3.Nc3 and 3.Nd2, there are no fewer than three well-established replies. Even some of the rarer lines are quite playable. Against the Advance Variation, for instance, one can play with or without …Qb6 (after 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3).
The level of the courses is also an important issue, especially when aiming to appeal both to club players with limited time for theory study and to more advanced tournament players or even professionals.
In the following overview, I’d like to introduce you to several current — and in some cases slightly older — FritzTrainer courses on the French Defence, and categorize them based on the language version, the recommended variations, and the target level. You’ll find a list of the courses with links to the product pages in the shop at the end of this article.
A good addition to the courses is definitely the PowerBook and the PowerBase for this opening.
Note: In the tables below, I try to express the level of the courses using rating numbers (DWZ/ELO). These values are entirely subjective and intended only as a rough guideline.
Beginners and those new to the French
You haven’t played the French before and haven’t committed to any specific variations yet? You’re looking for a course with explanations to help you understand the basics of the opening and the main lines? Then I’d recommend these two somewhat older but still very good FritzTrainer courses:
Both courses offer a very good introduction to the French Defence. The authors explain the fundamentals thoroughly, and the scope and depth of the variations are easy to follow.
Daniel King explains the most important lines using ten extensively annotated model games. Compared to the other, his repertoire is somewhat more “modern.” The course includes both German and English language versions.
Yannick Pelletier divides his course into the chapters Introduction, Variations, Model Games, and Test Section. His choice of lines is deliberately “classical.” The course is available in both English and French (select the language in the shop!).
Courses with complete and detailed repertoires
These courses are suitable for players who have already decided to play the French and are looking for a complete repertoire with in-depth analysis of the variations. The level of the courses is relatively high, but in return, all relevant lines for White are covered. Here, we take a look at the courses by Kasimdzhanov (in two volumes) and Pert (in one volume), which are available in English.
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The course by Kasimdzhanov is very detailed and offers a high level of analysis, with many original contributions by the author, who is considered a true expert on the French due to his work as a coach and second. The course can confidently be described as a “Grandmaster Repertoire.” However, it is not really suitable for beginners.
I’ve included the single-volume course by Nicholas Pert despite its age because it is the only one that covers the Nimzowitsch or Winawer Variation (3.Nc3 Bb4), which is popular among club players. Although the Winawer has somewhat fallen out of favor at the top level in recent years, it often poses more difficult problems for White than the Classical Variation with 3…Nf6. Against the Tarrasch Variation (3.Nd2), Pert also deviates from the mainstream and recommends the equally combative 3…Nf6.
Would you like a bit more?
Structures, tactics, and plans
As is well known, most games aren’t decided in the opening. It’s important to understand the positions that arise from an opening and to be familiar with the specific tactical and strategic motifs. This is exactly where the course The French Defence – Structures, Tactics and Plans by Mihail Marin comes in. It’s not about variations or repertoires, but about tactics (Volume 1) and positional play (Volume 2) in the French Defence.
Each chapter begins with an introductory video that explains the relevant motifs. These are followed by interactive videos in the “FritzTrainer” format, where we can test and deepen our knowledge. In my view, this course is a very useful addition to the repertoire courses discussed so far.
PowerBook and PowerBase
ChessBase’s PowerBooks (opening books) are essential for serious opening study. They provide a statistical overview of the current state of opening theory, often up to a depth of around 20 moves. You open a game or even just the board window, then select the appropriate PowerBook via the “Book” tab. The image below shows the evaluation of possible Black moves after 3.Nc3 using the French PowerBook.
As you can see here, the Classical Variation with 3…Nf6 has been played more than twice as often as the Nimzowitsch Variation (3…Bb4). However, the performance (from White’s perspective) doesn’t show a significant difference, and even some of the sidelines perform similarly.
Another valuable supplement is the PowerBases, which are game databases containing around 10,000 high-quality games, some of them with detailed commentary.
Both databases are available in the shop.
Conclusion
The range of ChessBase courses on the French Defence is extensive and well-curated. Beginners will find an easy introduction and a solid basic repertoire in the courses by King and Pelletier. Tournament players and more advanced users can choose one of the complete repertoire courses by Prusikin, Berger, Kasimdzhanov, or Pert, and will be well equipped to handle the opening phase — or even gain an early advantage.
The course by Marin on structures, tactics, and plans is a strong recommendation for players of all levels. The PowerBook is an essential resource for effective opening training. And anyone looking for model games will find what they need in the PowerBase.
Here’s the list of courses:
Power Play 22: A Repertoire for Black with the French Defence by Daniel King
A Classical Guide to the French Defence by Yannick Pelletier
Top Choice Repertoire: Play the French Defence Vol.1 & 2 by Rustam Kasimdzhanov
The French Defence for the Tournament Player by Nicholas Pert
The French Defence – Structures, Tactics and plans Vol.1 & 2 by Mihail Marin
Datenbases:
French Defence Powerbook 2024 (Opening Book / Statistics)
French Defense Powerbase 2024 (Game Database, partially annotated)
Recommended courses, only in German:
