Center Game: Hall Variation
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qc4
4… Nf6−0.10
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Center Game: Hall Variation (C22), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.10).
Top engine moves
- −0.104… Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8 8. Nge2 a6 9. Bg5
- −0.044… Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Nxd2 Nf6 7. Ne2 d5 8. exd5 Qxd5 9. Qxd5
- +0.114… a6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9. Qe2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Center Game: Hall Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8 8. Nge2 a6 9. Bg5. The position is roughly equal (−0.10). The next best moves are 4… Bb4+ (−0.04) and 4… a6 (+0.11).
Is the Center Game: Hall Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.10: 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: Hall 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+).