8...Kf8 is indeed one of the two principle choices for Black second only to 8...g6.  In practice 8...g6 shows up about 57% of the time while 8...Kf8 about 39%.  Both are valid options and have been played by top players, but 8...g6 is perhaps a bit more dynamic (and risker) as it leaves open the option of queenside castling at the cost of weakening his kingside pawns (which may also be advanced in some lines with the rooks behind them.)  8...Kf8 avoids the weakening of the dark squares but makes it a bit harder for Black to activate his rooks.  With both lines Black has good chances for equality - and perhaps more.

It seems as though Black has just enough time to reposition his pieces effectively to stem White's attack even though it looks scary.  16...Rf8 is a necessary defense of f7 to allow time for ....a6 and ...Ba6 exchanging the light square bishop.  It always amazes me how resilient the Black side of the French can be.

Of course since i came down with a dreary head cold this weekend I could well be missing something.  After 27...Kxe7 I was assuming that Black's advanced passed pawn would be offset by White's connected passed f- and g-pawns.  Black would attempt to control the advance of those pawns with his king and rook while creating a second (connected) passed pawn on the queenside.  Perhaps there is an endgame guru on the forum who could determine whether or not that peters out to a draw?

I was studying the mainline McCutcheon and was surprised that 15...gxh5 seems playable.  I don't think it offers Black as much 15...g5, but I thought I'd "throw it out there" in case there were any thoughts / ideas from our French forum members on either line (and because the French forum has been too quiet lately!  )  Vive la France!  Bill



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