ECO B00 · Barnes Defense

Barnes Defense

1. e4 f6

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

2. d4+1.21

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Barnes Defense (B00), reached after 1. e4 f6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.21).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.212. d4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 d5 5. Qg4 Qd7 6. O-O-O dxe4
  2. +1.172. Nc3 e6 3. d4 Bb4 4. Bd2 d5 5. Qg4 Qd7 6. O-O-O dxe4
  3. +1.022. Bc4 e6 3. d4 Nc6 4. Be3 Nce7 5. Nc3 c6 6. Bb3 d5

All Barnes Defense variations (0)

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best move in the Barnes Defense?
    After 1. e4 f6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. d4 for White, continuing e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 d5 5. Qg4 Qd7 6. O-O-O dxe4. White is clearly better (+1.21). The next best moves are 2. Nc3 (+1.17) and 2. Bc4 (+1.02).
    Is the Barnes Defense a good opening?
    Stockfish rates the position at +1.21: 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 Barnes Defense?
    B00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

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