French Defense: Reversed Philidor Formation
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. Be2
5… Bd6−0.12
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: Reversed Philidor Formation (C00), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. Be2, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bd6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.12).
Top engine moves
- −0.125… Bd6 6. c3 O-O 7. O-O e5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Ne4 Re8 10. Qb3
- −0.075… e5 6. c3 Bd6 7. Qb3 a5 8. a4 d4 9. Nc4 O-O 10. Nxd6
- +0.185… dxe4 6. dxe4 e5 7. c3 a5 8. Qc2 Bc5 9. Bb5 Qe7 10. O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: Reversed Philidor Formation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. Be2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bd6 for Black, continuing 6. c3 O-O 7. O-O e5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Ne4 Re8 10. Qb3. The position is roughly equal (−0.12). The next best moves are 5… e5 (−0.07) and 5… dxe4 (+0.18).
Is the French Defense: Reversed Philidor Formation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.12: 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: Reversed Philidor Formation?
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+).