ECO C13 · French Defense

French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Spielmann Variation

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 O-O

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

7. Qh5+1.15

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Spielmann Variation (C13), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Qh5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.15).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.157. Qh5 c5 8. Bd3 g6 9. Qh6 cxd4 10. Nf3 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 dxc3
  2. +1.157. Bd3 g6 8. Qg4 c5 9. f4 f5 10. Qh3 cxd4 11. Nb5 Nc6
  3. +0.917. Qg4 f6 8. Nf3 fxg5 9. Bd3 g6 10. Qxe6+ Rf7 11. Qxd5 Nb6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Spielmann Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4 O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Qh5 for White, continuing c5 8. Bd3 g6 9. Qh6 cxd4 10. Nf3 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 dxc3. White is clearly better (+1.15). The next best moves are 7. Bd3 (+1.15) and 7. Qg4 (+0.91).
Is the French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Spielmann Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.15: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the French Defense: Alekhine-Chatard Attack, Spielmann Variation?
C13. 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+).