French out of nothing ! (3 part series)

Ronen's Opening Survey: French out of nothing ! #1.

C01: French.

The French exchange variation - 3.Nc3 Bb4 4. exd5 - is a very simple and non-theoretical system, which simply aims at getting a solid position and let you play. Magnus Carlsen's win at the Bilbao tournament has a lot to do with simple systems against the French: first his 2.d3 win against Caruana, and then the Exchange Variation again Vallejo. In his new series, GM Ronen Har-Zvi - always up to to bring us the last fashionable openings - analyzes games and variations of this 'French out of nothing' way to play the famous opening