Tree path 9 levels French Defense › Normal Variation › French Defense › Paulsen Variation › French Defense: Classical Variation › French Defense: Classical Variation › French Defense: McCutcheon Variation › Advance Variation › French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Janowski Variation
- Chess Codex
- French Defense C00
- Normal Variation C00
- French Defense C00
- Paulsen Variation C10
- French Defense: Classical Variation C11
- French Defense: Classical Variation C11
- French Defense: McCutcheon Variation C12
- Advance Variation C12
- French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Janowski Variation C12 you are here
French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Janowski Variation
Overview
French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Janowski Variation is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C12), arising from a recognised theoretical position.
The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.
Play reaches this position via 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Be3, after 11 plies of opening development.
The line refines French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Advance Variation, which traces back to the root opening French Defense.
Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.
- ECO code
- C12
- Group
- Open Games (C)
- Plies
- 11
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
29,792 games · White 52.9% / Draw 5.5% / Black 41.7%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Ne4 | 24,415 | |
| Bxc3+ | 3,629 | |
| Nfd7 | 1,650 | |
| Ng8 | 37 | |
| c5 | 34 | |
| Ng4 | 6 | |
| O-O | 5 | |
| g6 | 3 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:27:29
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