French Defense: Advance Variation, Frenkel Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
23,049 games: White 44.7% / Draw 4.4% / Black 50.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 11,48511K | ||
| 7,7417,741 | ||
| 2,4062,406 | ||
| 738738 | ||
| 312312 | ||
| 217217 | ||
| 7171 | ||
| 1919 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
−1.43 Black is better
Best play: 4... cxd4 5. a3 a5 6. b5 Nd7 7. f4 Nh6 8. Nf3 a4 9. Bb2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
French Defense: Advance Variation, Frenkel Gambit (ECO C02, Open Games) is a gambit in the French Defense: Advance Variation, reached after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. b4 (4 moves).
In 23,049 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.7%, Black 50.9% and 4.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…cxd4, in 50% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the French Defense: Advance Variation, Frenkel Gambit
The most played answer, 4…cxd4, also scores best for Black: 57.9%, with Black winning 55.5% and White 39.8% of 11K games. Of the main answers, 4…cxb4 scores lowest: 48.1%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4…cxd4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “French Defense: Advance Variation, Frenkel Gambit (C02)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/french-defense-advance-variation-frenkel-gambit