French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Exchange Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. exd5
5… Bxc3++0.03
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Exchange Variation (C12), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. exd5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bxc3+ for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.03).
Top engine moves
- +0.035… Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qxd5 7. Bxf6 gxf6 8. Qg4 Qa5 9. Ne2 Bd7 10. Qg7
- +0.055… Qxd5 6. Bxf6 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 gxf6 8. Qg4 Qa5 9. Ne2 Bd7 10. Qg7
- +0.295… exd5 6. Qf3 Qe7+ 7. Ne2 Qe4 8. a3 Qxf3 9. gxf3 Bxc3+ 10. Nxc3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Exchange Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. exd5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bxc3+ for Black, continuing 6. bxc3 Qxd5 7. Bxf6 gxf6 8. Qg4 Qa5 9. Ne2 Bd7 10. Qg7. The position is roughly equal (+0.03). The next best moves are 5… Qxd5 (+0.05) and 5… exd5 (+0.29).
Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Exchange Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.03: 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, Exchange 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+).