Any statistics you'd like to share, Dial?

I don't know of any statistics, but Fischer lost at least one famous game vs. the French ( a spectacular thrashing at the hands of Vlado Kovacevic). He was also reputed to struggle vs. the Caro-Kann, though no high-level games come to mind right away.

However, I don't think one could justifiably draw inferences about the Caro-Kann based on Fischer's experience, since in Bobby's time much of the theory of the "Advance" (3. e4-e5) lines had not yet developed. This points to a difficulty in interpreting WC records from too long ago...

Well.....without opening up my chessbase database...I'll leave that up to ____________

In the Winawer, I know Fischer dropped a game to Mednis (back in 62?), also later won against same player.

Then there were the draws in the interzonals to Uhlmann and later Petrosian actually drew him in the Candidates Final 1971 with the French.

Kasparov-Kramnik "Berlin Wall"

Regarding the French, I recall that Karpov never breached Korchnoi's French in world championshp matches, including the 1974 match. Maybe the French is just too mighty?

Hello. Another point to be made here: Remember "coach Kasparov" when recent Carlsen vs. Kramnik chose, instead of e4, chose c4.

The idea is Kramnik's rep. of Petrov/Russian or Berlin STYLE vs. e4.

If I'm black playing for a win, I want e4. I can play off the instability of the e4 pawn. French/Russian/ a style contrast to the e4 player, playing "off the e4 pawn." French (perhaps with exception of the Banzai line/ or questionable Millner) positional pressured pawn levers. Petrov/Russian white to extend if wants more than 1/2. (Note also in the Sicilian where Kaspaarov "switched off" into the Dragon for a spell.)

I remember Uhlmann having better score with Fischer with black than with white - due to the French. Interestingly enough, Karpov beat Uhlmann in a great and famous game that made both Karpov's best game books and the Ulhmann's book on the French: the game was so good Uhlmann thought that loss was worth being included in a book called "Winning with the French". IIRC, Fischer's problems against the Caro-Kan were mostly limited to one tournament. I may be wrong, though. The French was probably a bigger problem to him.

It was a little strange Karpov never managed to breach Korchnoi's French - I don't know if it is due to some inherent solidity of the opening or the way Korchnoi played back then.


As for the Berlin, it was fun to hear Kramnik talk about it on his CB DVD: it was the ideal choice in many ways: Kasparov's weakness - if he had any- were endgames and positions without a clear and concrete way to play, and Berlin is exactly that - it is more about being patient and tiny nuances. But also, before the match Kramnik checked whether Kasparov faced the Berlin, and apparently it was only one or a handful of games that were played a long time ago. Finally, Kramnik checked whether any of Kasparov's match opponents ever played the Berlin - this way Kasparov could have been prepared without actually playing much games with this line - but none of Kasparov's previous opponents played it, so not only was it a line where Kasparov would not be in the kind of position that doesn't suit him, but it was also a line he was unprepared for.



I think black can play for a win after any opening move.

Not based on the instability of the material e4 pawn itself: Hence: Alekhine/
Center Counter/
Center Counter "Gambit"/
Petrov/
French/
Latvian

What is the Banzai line of the French? I'm not familiar with it.

(the Haldane) So titled here: http://jeremysilman.com/chess_bits_pieces/040731_banzai.html

I think a person who calls h5 "Rook Five" should not be allowed to name chess openings. But that's just me

Anyway, if we are to have a Japanese word for a French Defense line, I think we should rename the Milner Barry Gambit into the Arigato Gambit.