Chess With Sam Collins

Laurent Fressinet vs Maxime Lagarde

French Championship, Chartres, France, 2019

Maxime Lagarde won the open French Championship after beating top seed Laurent Fressinet in tiebreaks. Pauline Guichard won the women’s section, prevailing over six-time champion Sophie Milliet in tiebreaks.

1.d4 f5!?

Having lost the first rapid tiebreak game, Lagarde had to play for a win with Black. The Dutch Defence always leads to complex play and proved to be an inspired choice.

2.c4 ...