Site "C10"] [White "French"] [Black "Fort Knox Variation "]

I heard rumor, last year one GM from Philippine start train two kid at Penang. I saw this both kids have good progress in their games. Almost their game balance till end, and their ending theory more than better.

This GM play French Defence when I first saw him at Pesta Pulau Pinang 2008 . If im not wrong he face one of Penang NM, Ronnie Lim. GM win. He first board winner with 100% score. I just play for 2^nd day only. First day I need to attend contract interview for the water feature system at Persiaran Gurney. I win all games, 4/4 but not enough to get the best board. Another player get 5/5.

This French defence Variation seem get attention to GM level when Naka and Boring Boris have good result in this variation lately. Furthermore this opening seem give many variety of variation.

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 From here there have 2 popular line… 4…Nd7 (popular line chose by Bareev Evgeny) 4…Bd7 ( regular play lately) 4…Nf6 just okey variation for me. White better anyhow. Lets we see the Fort Knox variation.

Site "C10"] [White "French"] [Black "Fort Knox Variation "] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Bc6 From many variations play, I prefer Karjakin opening choice…

6.Bd3 Nf6 0.56

6.Bd3 Be7 0.53

6.Bd3 Nd7 0.44

6.Bd3 Bxe4 0.62

Plan(w)- Progress Queenside pawn for better ending

Attacking- White enjoy the space advantage and lunch attack both side

Ending- The battle of ending on Queenside seem better to white

Plan(B)- Exchange the bad Bishop and create opportunity on Kingside

Attacking- d file, d5 square to start the progress

Ending- Knight better than Bishop for this opening’s ending. (closed type ending)

6.Bd3 Nf6 7.Qe2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 Bxe4 11.Qxe4 c6 12.Bf4 Nd7 13.Qc2 Qb6

8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 Bxe4 11.Qxe4 c6 12.Bf4 Nd7 13.Qc2 Qb6 14.Nd2 c5 15.dxc5 Bxc5

8.0-0 Bxe4 9.Bxe4 c6 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.c3 Qc7 12.Bd2 Nd5 13.g3 Ne7 14.c4 b6 15.Rad1 0-0

6.Bd3 Nd7 7.0-0 Ngf6 8.Ng3 Be7 9.Re1 0-0 10.c3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 c6 12.Bf4 Re8 13.Rad1 Nf8 14.a3 Ng6

7.0-0 Ngf6 8.Ng3 Be7 9.Re1 0-0 10.c3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 c6 12.Bf4 Re8 13.Rad1 Nf8 14.a3 Ng6 15.Bc1

7.0-0 Bxe4 8.Bxe4 c6 9.c4 Ngf6 10.Bc2 Bd6 11.b3 0-0 12.Bb2 Qc7 13.Re1 Rfd8 14.Re2 c5 15.g3

6.Bd3 Be7 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Ng3 0-0 9.Re1 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 c6 11.c3 Nbd7 12.Bf4 Re8 13.a4 a5

8.Ng3 Nbd7 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Qd5 12.f4 Nd7 13.Rd1 Qa5 14.c3 Ba4 15.Re1 Rfd8

8.Ng3 0-0 9.Re1 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 c6 11.c3 Nbd7 12.Bf4 Re8 13.a4 a5 14.Re2 Nd5 15.Be5 Nf8

I always give the variation till 15^th move, I purpose do this to ensure u study not too boring. I class this study for opening only. Take you board and try this variation. Its good for the both side. Don’t listen to Sicilian Player. They hate this much. Hahaha. I know.