French Defense: McCutcheon Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C12), reached after 8 half-moves: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4.

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Black knight — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Continue from this position

3 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

5.e5 9 lines
5.exd5 2 lines
- C12 Bogoljubow Variation
- C12 Exchange Variation
5.Bg5 1 line
- C15 Wolf Gambit

About this opening

French Defense: McCutcheon Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C12. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 8 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4.

It belongs to the French Defense family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the McCutcheon Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e6, 2.d4 d5, 3.Nc3 Nf6, 4.Bg5 Bb4. From this position 3 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.