The McCutcheon Variation, Bogoljubow Variation is a variation of the French Defense, catalogued as ECO C12. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Qd2 Qa5, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black’s h-file pawn is isolated; Black has the bishop pair.
On the French Defense generally: A solid defense where Black builds a strong pawn chain. Leads to strategic middlegames with clear plans.
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The McCutcheon Variation, Bogoljubow Variation goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Qd2 Qa5. It is a variation of the French Defense and is catalogued as ECO C12.
The McCutcheon Variation, Bogoljubow Variation is ECO C12. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Qd2 Qa5 at +0.31 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the f-file; Black’s h-file pawn is isolated; Black has the bishop pair.