![Starting Out: the French (Starting Out)](http://monsterbookshop.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/9781857442298_614a6c6b-d12f-4d61-ab04-c141c5f3d43d.jpg?v=1720428955&width=1445)
The French is one of Black's soundest defences to 1 e4 and is very popular at all levels of chess. Club players enjoy its super-solid structure, while at the top it's played by famous grandmasters such as Vishy Anand and the young Russian star Alexander Morozevich. With his first two moves Black obtains a substantial foothold in the centre, and a structure that is incredibly difficult to break down. In this user-friendly book, International Master Byron Jacobs revisits the basic principles behind the French Defence and all of its variations. Throughout the reader is helped along by a wealth of notes, tips, warnings and exercises. This book is ideal for the improving player.