French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Chigorin Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. exf6
6… hxg5+0.32
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Chigorin Variation (C12), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. exf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… hxg5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.32).
Top engine moves
- +0.326… hxg5 7. fxg7 Rg8 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qf6 10. h4 gxh4 11. Qh5
- +0.976… Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 hxg5 8. fxg7 Rg8 9. h4 gxh4 10. Qg4 Qf6 11. Rxh4
- +3.566… gxf6 7. Be3 e5 8. a3 Ba5 9. b4 Bb6 10. Na4 h5 11. Nxb6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Chigorin Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. exf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… hxg5 for Black, continuing 7. fxg7 Rg8 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qf6 10. h4 gxh4 11. Qh5. White is slightly better (+0.32). The next best moves are 6… Bxc3+ (+0.97) and 6… gxf6 (+3.56).
Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Chigorin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.32: 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, Chigorin 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+).