Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O
8. c4+0.52
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason Variation (C42), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. c4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.52).
Top engine moves
- +0.528. c4 Nf6 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. h3 Nb4 11. c5 b6 12. Bb1 bxc5
- +0.378. Re1 Bf5 9. c4 Nc6 10. cxd5 Qxd5 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Rfe8
- +0.348. Nbd2 Bf5 9. Re1 Nd6 10. Bxf5 Nxf5 11. Nf1 Nd7 12. Qd3 Nd6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. c4 for White, continuing Nf6 9. Nc3 Nc6 10. h3 Nb4 11. c5 b6 12. Bb1 bxc5. White is slightly better (+0.52). The next best moves are 8. Re1 (+0.37) and 8. Nbd2 (+0.34).
Is the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason 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 Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason Variation?
C42. 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+).