French Defense: Pelikan Variation
1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. f4
3… dxe4−0.27
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: Pelikan Variation (C00), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. f4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… dxe4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.27).
Top engine moves
- −0.273… dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ Qxf6 6. Nf3 Qxf4 7. d4 Qg4 8. Bd3
- −0.113… d4 4. Nce2 c5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. d3 Nc6 7. g3 b5 8. Bg2
- −0.063… Nc6 4. Nf3 d4 5. Ne2 e5 6. d3 Bg4 7. Nxe5 Nxe5 8. fxe5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: Pelikan Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. f4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… dxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ Qxf6 6. Nf3 Qxf4 7. d4 Qg4 8. Bd3. The position is roughly equal (−0.27). The next best moves are 3… d4 (−0.11) and 3… Nc6 (−0.06).
Is the French Defense: Pelikan Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.27: 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: Pelikan Variation?
C00. 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+).