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. 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: 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+).