1.e4 — the open games
French Defence, MacCutcheon Variation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4ECO C12
A sharp, uncompromising French: instead of the quiet 4…Be7, Black pins the c3-knight with 4…Bb4, creating immediate tactical tension. Leads to double-edged positions where both kings can come under fire — a fighting alternative for the ambitious French player.
Key ideas
- …Bb4 pins the knight so 5.e5 h6 6.Bd2 Bxc3 damages White's structure for piece activity.
- Both sides get chances to attack; the pawn structure is unbalanced and the play concrete.
- It sidesteps the quieter Classical lines for a more combative, tactical struggle.
Who it suits
French players who want a sharp, fighting line rather than the solid Classical main road.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the French Defence, MacCutcheon Variation move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer