if black would improve with such a trade then it must follow the bishop is weak...right?
I agree. Yet, my own experience has shown me that the French Bishop is not as weak as one might think. As an attacking piece, it is bad but as a defending piece, it is good.
UPDATE - my respect for the French Bishop has grown. If White tries to exchange his own light square bishop for mine, Black gains a small advantage. If White tries to play a French-Tarrasch variation or a French-Winawer, I get to keep my French Bishop as a lynchpin for my light square pawn structure in the center and counterplay coming on the kingside.
I love the french bishop also and I go to bed with it every night! Calling Dr. Freud... .
Agreed. When you're experienced with the French defense, you learn to play without said bishop. When the dust clears, it can often be brought into action. If white can't exploit the so called "bad" bishop, then its not really a weakness per se.
Agreed. When you're experienced with the French defense, you learn to play without said bishop. When the dust clears, it can often be brought into action. If white can't exploit the so called "bad" bishop, then its not really a weakness per se.
now you are speaking my language. :)
Don't get me wrong, the French isn't for the faint of heart. There are better choices to 1. e4 IMO. I love playing the French though and will work with that bishop.
I am not aware about the French, but a GM in my country about 2650 elo says : "Why would you have to leave the B inside the pawn chain?".
That bishop sucks!!
Seriously, it's so bad that if you can trade it for the opponent's good white bishop, you often have a winning strategic position, that's how awful it is.
That line you showed is actually what I play in the French, but that B is ALWAYS a problem B.
I have a bunch of GM games in the Tarrasch French, where black routinely does contortions just to free that B - Bc8-Bd7-Be8-Bh5, and all in the early middlegame. It looks almost ridiculous, but that's how much worth it is to either exchange or goodify that B!
I think this good and such, but which side do you castle on?
In the French Defense... Blacks light square bishop, or "French Bishop", sitting on c8 gets a lot of bad rep. People say that that the French Bishop is a bad piece and that it is a weakness for Black because it has difficulty getting developed to an attacking square. However, in my experience, this bishop is an invaluable defensive piece in the French Defense and should not be underestimated. Often, the French Bishop can be the lynchpin that secures all of the light squares in your position. Plus, if White ever wants to trade bishop for bishop, then Black can only improve from such a trade. Your thoughts?