this is a reply to the question on Qxf6 in the Tarrasch. It it not simply bad, however if you wish to know more I believe there is a topic covering it "Tarrasch, 3...Nf6, 5.Bd3, 9...Qxf6"

I think 1.e4 d6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nc6 is a rather risky option for Black after 4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.e5 Nd7 6.Nb3 (I think White has the better chances after 6.Be2 as well.)  This is of course the main line which Black doesn't get a chance to safely get in ...f6 anytime soon.  The positions may be playable, but are passive and certainly not to my tastes.

Just a brief reply as i dont have time to provide analysis but according to Tiviakov one of the worlds experts on the white side of the tarrasch the qxf6 line isn't very good, just look up some of his games and you'll find how to play the positions.

Yep sorry for being over the top in my assessment of your comments Dom, i realised that you meant Ngf3 first my main point was concerning the Nc6 which does have potential, and is the key question to the whole viability of the Guimard. I only wished to make it clear that Ngf3 had to be played thus limiting the options, White essentially has to play e5 he cannot just leave the pawn there as otherwise the d-pawn will drop with dxe4 and Nxd4.

Well i play the guimard variation and whilst some of what Dom said is correct i think on the whole is he is wrong about his assessment of the main lines.

Firstly e5 isnt an option because of simply Nxd4, so White must play either c3 or Ngf3 (the main move).
After 4. c3 black plays e5 and has excellent play in a sharp position, so 4. Ngf3 is the only move to challenge black. Then black plays Nf6 5. e5 Nd7 and Dom is completely wrong here the knight on c6 is by no means useless at all. The whole point of this line is that black intends a well timed f6 exf6 and then hopefully qxf6 when the knight is immediately ready to support the e5 break. It is upto White to prove this to be premature and restrain Black's activity and he is not very accurate then Black usually succeeds in making the e5 break then on the whole he will probably be even better as his pieces are naturally placed with the open f-file. With great accuracy White can gain an edge but it is nothing too significant, and in practice most players will be thrown by this unusual variation. I will post some analysis when i have more time, but I whole heartedly reccomend this variation, it may not be sound at gm level but for everyone else it is an ideal line creating instantly sharp play.

Also whilst Watsons play the french is ok its quite outdated, eg look at eddie dearings opinions on Qb6 in our discussion

Have your tried Watson's book "Play the French".  He has two  pretty good recomendations.