French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Advance Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5
5… h6+0.45
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Advance Variation (C12), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… h6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.45).
Top engine moves
- +0.455… h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 g6 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2
- +1.245… Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 h6 7. Bc1 Ng8 8. Qg4 g6 9. a4 c5 10. dxc5
- +2.605… c5 6. exf6 gxf6 7. Bc1 cxd4 8. Qxd4 Nc6 9. Bb5 Ba5 10. Bd2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Advance Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… h6 for Black, continuing 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 g6 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2. White is slightly better (+0.45). The next best moves are 5… Bxc3+ (+1.24) and 5… c5 (+2.60).
Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Advance Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.45: 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: McCutcheon Variation, Advance Variation?
C12. 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+).