French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. dxc5
4… Nc6−0.25
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation (C02), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. dxc5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nc6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.25).
Top engine moves
- −0.254… Nc6 5. Nf3 Bxc5 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. Bf4 Nge7 8. Bd3 Ng6 9. Bxg6
- −0.224… Bxc5 5. Qg4 Ne7 6. Bd3 Ng6 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. O-O O-O 9. Qg3
- −0.194… Qc7 5. Nf3 Bxc5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Qe2 f6 8. Bf4 g5 9. Bg3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. dxc5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nc6 for Black, continuing 5. Nf3 Bxc5 6. Nc3 Qc7 7. Bf4 Nge7 8. Bd3 Ng6 9. Bxg6. The position is roughly equal (−0.25). The next best moves are 4… Bxc5 (−0.22) and 4… Qc7 (−0.19).
Is the French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.25: 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 French Defense: Advance Variation, Steinitz Variation?
C02. 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+).