ECO C22 · Center Game

Center Game: Berger Variation

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

5. Nc3−0.13

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Center Game: Berger Variation (C22), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.13).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.135. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8 8. Bc4 Rb8 9. Nf3 b5
  2. −0.255. Bd2 Be7 6. Nc3 d5 7. Nxd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Qxd5 9. Ne2 Bf5
  3. −0.375. Bd3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 O-O 7. a3 Bxd2+ 8. Nxd2 d5 9. Ne2 Re8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Center Game: Berger Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White, continuing Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8 8. Bc4 Rb8 9. Nf3 b5. The position is roughly equal (−0.13). The next best moves are 5. Bd2 (−0.25) and 5. Bd3 (−0.37).
Is the Center Game: Berger Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.13: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Center Game: Berger Variation?
C22. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).