French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Wolf Gambit
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 Nf6 5. Bg5
5… dxe4−0.04
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Wolf Gambit (C15), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 Nf6 5. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… dxe4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.04).
Top engine moves
- −0.045… dxe4 6. a3 Be7 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Nxe4 Nc6 9. c3 O-O 10. N2g3
- +0.215… h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. a3 Ba5 8. e5 Qe7 9. b4 Bb6 10. Na4
- +0.275… Be7 6. e5 Nfd7 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. f4 c5 10. O-O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Wolf Gambit?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Ne2 Nf6 5. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… dxe4 for Black, continuing 6. a3 Be7 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Nxe4 Nc6 9. c3 O-O 10. N2g3. The position is roughly equal (−0.04). The next best moves are 5… h6 (+0.21) and 5… Be7 (+0.27).
Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Wolf Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.04: 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, Wolf Gambit?
C15. 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+).