French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bh4
6… g5−0.10
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation (C12), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bh4, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… g5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.10).
Top engine moves
- −0.106… g5 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Ne2 Nxg3 9. hxg3 Bd7 10. Qd2 Be7 11. f4
- +0.406… Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 g5 8. Bg3 Ne4 9. Bd3 Nxc3 10. Qd2 Ne4 11. Bxe4
- +2.886… c5 7. exf6 g5 8. Bg3 cxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc6 10. Bb5 Qa5 11. O-O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bh4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… g5 for Black, continuing 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Ne2 Nxg3 9. hxg3 Bd7 10. Qd2 Be7 11. f4. The position is roughly equal (−0.10). The next best moves are 6… Bxc3+ (+0.40) and 6… c5 (+2.88).
Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.10: 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: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein 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+).