The Charousek Variation is a variation of the Center Game, catalogued as ECO C22. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Bb4+ 5. c3 Be7, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Black is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to White's zero. It is White to move after five moves.
On the Center Game generally: ECO C20. A chess opening with 18 known variations.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 4 Center Game variations →
The Charousek Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Bb4+ 5. c3 Be7. It is a variation of the Center Game and is catalogued as ECO C22.
The Charousek Variation is ECO C22. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Center Game.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Bb4+ 5. c3 Be7 at -0.16 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Black is ahead in development, with two minor pieces out to White's zero. It is White to move.