ECO A40 · Australian Defense

Australian Defense

1. d4 Na6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2. e4+0.87

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Australian Defense (A40), reached after 1. d4 Na6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. e4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.87).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.872. e4 c6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bd3 Nb4 5. Be2 d5 6. exd5 cxd5
  2. +0.652. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. e4 Bg7 6. Be3 O-O
  3. +0.632. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nbd2 d5 4. e3 e6 5. Bxa6 bxa6 6. b3 a5

All Australian Defense variations (0)

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best move in the Australian Defense?
    After 1. d4 Na6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. e4 for White, continuing c6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bd3 Nb4 5. Be2 d5 6. exd5 cxd5. White is clearly better (+0.87). The next best moves are 2. c4 (+0.65) and 2. Nf3 (+0.63).
    Is the Australian Defense a good opening?
    Stockfish rates the position at +0.87: white is clearly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
    What is the ECO code of the Australian Defense?
    A40. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

    Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).