French Defense: Classical Variation, Richter Attack
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxf6
5… Bxf6−0.20
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: Classical Variation, Richter Attack (C13), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bxf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.20).
Top engine moves
- −0.205… Bxf6 6. Nf3 O-O 7. Qd2 c5 8. dxc5 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Bxb2 10. Rb1
- +0.675… gxf6 6. exd5 exd5 7. Nge2 Qd6 8. Qd2 Bf5 9. Ng3 Be6 10. Bd3
- +3.835… O-O 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. exd5 exd5+ 8. Qe2 Qd6 9. Qd2 Bf5 10. O-O-O
Other move orders
- 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. e5 Be7 7. Qg4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: Classical Variation, Richter Attack?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bxf6 for Black, continuing 6. Nf3 O-O 7. Qd2 c5 8. dxc5 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Bxb2 10. Rb1. The position is roughly equal (−0.20). The next best moves are 5… gxf6 (+0.67) and 5… O-O (+3.83).
Is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Richter Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.20: 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: Classical Variation, Richter Attack?
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+).