French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7
5. e5+0.53
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation (C13), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. e5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.53).
Top engine moves
- +0.535. e5 Ne4 6. Nxe4 dxe4 7. Be3 c5 8. dxc5 Qc7 9. Qd4 Bd7
- +0.095. exd5 exd5 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. h3 Bb4 9. Bb5 Qe7+
- −0.205. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. Nf3 O-O 7. Be2 c5 8. exd5 cxd4 9. Ne4 e5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. e5 for White, continuing Ne4 6. Nxe4 dxe4 7. Be3 c5 8. dxc5 Qc7 9. Qd4 Bd7. White is slightly better (+0.53). The next best moves are 5. exd5 (+0.09) and 5. Bxf6 (−0.20).
Is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.53: white 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 French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal 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+).