French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Duras Variation
1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 Kf8 9. Bc1
9… c5+0.18
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Duras Variation (C12), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 Kf8 9. Bc1, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… c5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.18).
Top engine moves
- +0.189… c5 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. dxc5 Qa5 12. Bd2 Qa4 13. h3 h5 14. Qf3
- +0.749… h5 10. Qf4 c5 11. Bd3 Qa5 12. Ne2 Nxc3 13. Qd2 c4 14. Bxc4
- +0.889… Bd7 10. Ne2 Bb5 11. Rb1 Bxe2 12. Bxe2 Nxc3 13. Rxb7 Nc6 14. Ba6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Duras Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 Kf8 9. Bc1, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… c5 for Black, continuing 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. dxc5 Qa5 12. Bd2 Qa4 13. h3 h5 14. Qf3. The position is roughly equal (+0.18). The next best moves are 9… h5 (+0.74) and 9… Bd7 (+0.88).
Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Duras Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.18: 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, Duras 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+).