On my way up I've encountered many French defence players.
Most of the time, I lose to these players because I'm ill-prepared. The primary reason for my lack of preparation is that I have certain expectations for my fellow chess players. Expectations for honesty, and good gamesmanship.
I believe in a world where chess players play genuine, beautiful, and creative chess. I believe in a world where chess players don't settle on using cheap tricks to fool their opponent. Obviously, French defence players fit in the latter.
The question I ask is, how miserable does one have to be to employ the French defence? What kind of sick satisfaction do these people get from beating someone with such a bore-inducing play style?
Most of the time, I lose to these players because I'm ill-prepared. The primary reason for my lack of preparation is that I have certain expectations for my fellow chess players. Expectations for honesty, and good gamesmanship.
I believe in a world where chess players play genuine, beautiful, and creative chess. I believe in a world where chess players don't settle on using cheap tricks to fool their opponent. Obviously, French defence players fit in the latter.
The question I ask is, how miserable does one have to be to employ the French defence? What kind of sick satisfaction do these people get from beating someone with such a bore-inducing play style?