French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3
7. bxc3+0.52
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation (C12), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. bxc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.52).
Top engine moves
- +0.527. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 g6 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2 c5 11. dxc5 Qc7
- +0.137. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Bd2 c5 9. dxc5 Qc7 10. Be3 Qxe5 11. Qd4 Qxd4
- −0.477. Bb5+ c6 8. Bxc3 cxb5 9. exf6 Qxf6 10. Nf3 O-O 11. O-O a5
Other move orders
- 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 g6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. bxc3 for White, continuing Ne4 8. Qg4 g6 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2 c5 11. dxc5 Qc7. White is slightly better (+0.52). The next best moves are 7. Bxc3 (+0.13) and 7. Bb5+ (−0.47).
Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Lasker Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.52: 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, Lasker 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+).