A short write up on French Defence.

Here.

It is my belief that we often need more then one weapon in a tournament to do well. That understanding comes from competitor analysis. That analysis poses this question. What do you do if you say play mainline Sicilian and your opponent is an expert in your opening or at any rate more experienced than you there?

So the Thematics help you find another weapon to prepare on the side till it is good enough to take into the battlefield. Make sense?

Remember your job as a player is to win the Tournament. And in any tough Tournament you will find players with a variety of weapons. And you may find that you do not have the right weapon to answer the challenge. I think it is better to have a second weapon and not need it than to need it and not have it. Yes? Otherwise that drop of 1 point or a half point will affect your overall tournament standing.

Another question that was raised by a parent was that her child plays D4. I have fielded many trainers opinion and those that I have spoken to says that you always start with E4. E4 teaches tactics. And tactics precede understanding position. Mark started on D4 and he got stuck and couldn't improve. Then he had to switch to E4 to improve again. But that was after having to lose for a time during the switch.

So it is important to start right. Otherwise there will be so much wasted time. Just my 2 cents.

So do use this opportunity in the coming Thematic. Registration details here.