The Complete French Advance

Book excerpt: The Advance Variation is the most ambitious way to meet the solid French Defence. Its popularity among club players is not difficult to understand: White not only gains space but also blocks in Black's c8 Bishop and hampers Black's kingside development. Grandmaster Evgeny Sveshnikov has played the Advance Variation in countless games with excellent results and is, as former World Champion Anatoly Karpov puts it, 'the world expert' in this variation. Together with his son, International Master Vladimir Sveshnikov, he has thoroughly updated and expanded his earlier investigations, and they have found many new ideas and resources. The Sveshnikovs clearly explain the ideas and plans for both sides and provide exercises and test positions. After reading and studying this book, White players, from amateurs to Grandmasters, will make their opponents' lives even more difficult.