French Defense: Winawer Variation, Portisch-Hook Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5
7. Bd2+0.61
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Portisch-Hook Variation (C18), reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Bd2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.61).
Top engine moves
- +0.617. Bd2 Qa4 8. h4 Ne7 9. h5 h6 10. Qg4 Kf8 11. Rh3 Nbc6
- +0.357. Ne2 Nc6 8. Bd2 Qc7 9. f4 b6 10. Ng3 cxd4 11. cxd4 Nxd4
- +0.077. Nf3 cxd4 8. Qxd4 Nc6 9. Qd2 Nge7 10. h4 b6 11. h5 h6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Portisch-Hook Variation?
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Bd2 for White, continuing Qa4 8. h4 Ne7 9. h5 h6 10. Qg4 Kf8 11. Rh3 Nbc6. White is slightly better (+0.61). The next best moves are 7. Ne2 (+0.35) and 7. Nf3 (+0.07).
Is the French Defense: Winawer Variation, Portisch-Hook Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.61: 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: Winawer Variation, Portisch-Hook Variation?
C18. 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+).