The Fully-Fledged French

The Fully-Fledged French

This is Viktor Moskalenko’s third and most complete book on the opening he is most identified with. His earlier Flexible French (2008) and Even More Flexible French (2015) were international bestsellers — hailed as eye-opening, sparkling, and genuinely fun to read — and this volume brings the whole project fully up to date with countless new improvements, alternatives, and surprise weapons.

It is a complete repertoire for Black after 1.e4 e6, organised by White’s main systems and threaded through with the dynamic, attacking spirit that defines Moskalenko’s approach to the French. The Advance, Tarrasch, Classical and Winawer each get thorough, restructured treatment, and the final part adds five surprise weapons for players who like to take opponents out of their comfort zone.

What keeps Moskalenko’s books beloved is the writing: high-level analysis delivered with a light, enthusiastic touch, the critical ideas and traps clearly flagged, and the French presented as a living, fighting opening rather than a passive defence.

A first-class, current French repertoire for club players and above who want active, double-edged play with Black.