ECO C11 · French Defense

French Defense: Henneberger Variation

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be3

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

4… dxe4−0.86

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the French Defense: Henneberger Variation (C11), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… dxe4 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.86).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.864… dxe4 5. Qd2 Bd7 6. O-O-O Bc6 7. Kb1 Nbd7 8. a3 a6 9. f3
  2. −0.604… Nxe4 5. Nxe4 dxe4 6. Qe2 b6 7. O-O-O Bb7 8. Kb1 Nd7 9. g4
  3. +0.374… Bb4 5. e5 Ne4 6. Qg4 g6 7. a3 h5 8. Qf4 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the French Defense: Henneberger Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Be3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… dxe4 for Black, continuing 5. Qd2 Bd7 6. O-O-O Bc6 7. Kb1 Nbd7 8. a3 a6 9. f3. Black is clearly better (−0.86). The next best moves are 4… Nxe4 (−0.60) and 4… Bb4 (+0.37).
Is the French Defense: Henneberger Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.86: black is clearly 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: Henneberger Variation?
C11. 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+).