user2042: 
What are Black's long term plans in below pawn structure?
How can Black free his game?

The position arose from the Rubinstein variation of the French defense: 
[Title "White to move"]
[fen "r2rb1k1/1p2bppp/1q2pn2/p3B3/P2N4/2PB4/1P2QPPP/R2R2K1 w - - 0 1"]


user3558: Hm, my idea is this:

pawn structure should remain as is except pawn should be probably on
g6 preventing king side attacks and giving space to move bishop
Be7-f6-g7
move knight to better position Nf6-d7-c5 and focusing attack on weak
pawn a4 with help of white squared bishop
move black squared bishop to a1-h8 diagonal which will make pressure
on pawn c3 if white b pawn is moving to protect a pawn

It doesn't look as good endgame for black since he has minority on queen side which can quickly turn into passing pawn therefore I believe black should keep pieces.

2042: <ul>
<li>What are Black's long term plans in below pawn structure?</li>
<li>How can Black free his game?</li>
</ul>

<p>The position arose from the Rubinstein variation of the French defense: </p>

<pre><code>[Title "White to move"]
[fen "r2rb1k1/1p2bppp/1q2pn2/p3B3/P2N4/2PB4/1P2QPPP/R2R2K1 w - - 0 1"]
</code></pre>
 3558: <p>Hm, my idea is this:</p>

<ul>
<li>pawn structure should remain as is except pawn should be probably on
g6 preventing king side attacks and giving space to move bishop
Be7-f6-g7</li>
<li>move knight to better position Nf6-d7-c5 and focusing attack on weak
pawn a4 with help of white squared bishop</li>
<li>move black squared bishop to a1-h8 diagonal which will make pressure
on pawn c3 if white b pawn is moving to protect a pawn</li>
</ul>

<p>It doesn't look as good endgame for black since he has minority on queen side which can quickly turn into passing pawn therefore I believe black should keep pieces.</p>
