Fast-tracked French

Dave Regis gives a 10-minute guide to the French Defence at the Exeter Chess Club Blog.

Its a simple and effective guide to the main lines of the French ( but happily omitting the Réti Gambit ! )

This great site contains lots of simple and sound chess advice and is highly recommended.

On the same defence, but taking a distinctly 19th century view of it, are these two posts from the Kenilworthian, that make interesting reading.

I have to admit Labourdonnais seems to have played some interesting chess all those years ago. He has a line in the Sicilian named after him and I have seen his games in the Queen's Gambit Accepted ( especially in the match against McDonnell ) also quoted as being good examples.