Center Game: Kupreichik Variation
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8 8. Bc4 d6 9. Nh3
9… Ne5−0.76
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Center Game: Kupreichik Variation (C22), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8 8. Bc4 d6 9. Nh3, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… Ne5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.76).
Top engine moves
- −0.769… Ne5 10. Bb3 a5 11. f4 a4 12. fxe5 axb3 13. exf6 bxa2 14. Nxa2
- −0.649… a5 10. a3 Bxh3 11. Qxh3 Ne5 12. Ba2 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Nxe4 14. f4
- −0.529… Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Bxh3 11. Qxh3 Nxe4 12. Qf5 Qg5+ 13. Qxg5 Nxg5 14. f3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Center Game: Kupreichik Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 O-O 7. O-O-O Re8 8. Bc4 d6 9. Nh3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… Ne5 for Black, continuing 10. Bb3 a5 11. f4 a4 12. fxe5 axb3 13. exf6 bxa2 14. Nxa2. Black is slightly better (−0.76). The next best moves are 9… a5 (−0.64) and 9… Bxc3 (−0.52).
Is the Center Game: Kupreichik Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.76: black is slightly better. 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: Kupreichik 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+).