I don't recognize that complaint, I don't have any problems in this department. Sometimes I find Psachis' analysis a bit superficial. An example is page 89/90, where he writes that "this variation needs a major overhaul." Black's problem is 12.Nxe6, an idea I have known for more than 20 years. Psachis really should have investigated 10...Kf7 and 11...Kf7 more deeply, as this idea also has been known since the mid 80's.
Overall it's a good book though.

For 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 one should also get Uhlmann's games collection in addition to some theory work. Uhlmann's explanations are as good as Moskalenko's; unfortunately I happen to chose variations as Black Uhlmann doesn't.

snakebite wrote on 03/07/10 at 11:37:52:


The Latest about the Armenian variantion (Bishop a5) from the Black side can be found in Lev Psakhis work from Batsford.

C5 against the Tarrasch would again be Lev Psakhis as well as as Pedersen from Gambit.

Psakhis is more complete and I would recommend him over Pedersen.

Thanks for the advice.  I've looked at some lines and was wondering if anybody could suggest the book which covered 1 e4 e6  2 d4 d5  3 Nc3 Bb4  4 e5 c5  5 a3 Ba5 and 1 e4 e6  2 d4 d5  3 Nd2 c5 in the most detail please?

I have just surfaced from a lengthy read of the critiques of MacDonald's book, on a thread over a year old now, and have found them quite interesting, informative and amusing (at times). I purchased the book two days ago at the London Chess Center, now exclusively on Baker Street, and did so for two reasond. 
1. There were few other books in on the French;
2. I trust McDonald having read his Starting Out: The Dutch Defence; and,
3. I want a simple, straightforward line or two that are not hard to utilize with a minimal amount of study.

I recently returned to chess after a 20 year break and find I do not have the time, energy, or interest to learn reams of theory, 15-20 moves deep on a new opening. I have/had always been an Alekhine's Defence player and recently took up the Dutch Defence (Classical and Stonewall) and have not lost a game in either variation despite only having played players equal to or higher rated than myself. I don't have the energy to book up on all the anti-Dutch lines and so saw 1.d4 e6 as a means of avoiding these. Unfortunately, the odd troublemaker will sidestep the Dutch with 2. e4, so I thought I should pick up a safe, low maintenance means of playing the French.

I also picked up Eingorn's and Bogdanov's Chess Explained the French last summer and have enjoyed going over it.

This question has been asked before several times on the forum.

In addition to Moskalenko and McDonald's books, you could try to look at the older "Mastering the French" by McDonald and Harley - a good introduction to all the typical pawn structures that arise. Though it might be too basic for you. The relevant volume of Khalifman's Anand series for the line you intend to play (Vol. 6 3.Nc3 Nf6 and 3... others; Vol. 7 3.Nc3 Bb4) is also must-have if you face well-prepared opposition.

The French has been very well served with high quality Chessbase DVDs too: 

A black repertoire with 3.Nc3 Nf6 and 3.Nd2 Nf6 by Ziegler, three DVDs presenting a 3.Nc3 repertoire for white by Kasimdzhanov, and two less advanced, german-language DVDs by Luther covering a variety of lines and ideas. All are excellent imho.

I have many books to advice ...
but one or recent book I like is Victor Moskalenko "Flexible French" - 2008 New in Chess - ISBN -13: 978-90-5691-245-1  (about 25$)
It is very interesting book about French and nice design. I am sure you will enjoy it. 
GM Moskalenko has long time practice with French