ECO A00 · Barnes Opening

Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag

1. f3 e5 2. Kf2

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

2… d5−1.55

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag (A00), reached after 1. f3 e5 2. Kf2, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… d5 for Black. Black is clearly better (−1.55).

Top engine moves

  1. −1.552… d5 3. e3 d4 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Ne2 Nb4 6. Re1 Qh4+ 7. Kg1
  2. −1.472… Bc5+ 3. e3 d5 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Bb5 d4 6. Ne4 Bb6 7. Ke1
  3. −1.452… Nc6 3. e3 d5 4. Bb5 Bd6 5. d4 e4 6. c4 a6 7. Bxc6+

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag?
After 1. f3 e5 2. Kf2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… d5 for Black, continuing 3. e3 d4 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. Ne2 Nb4 6. Re1 Qh4+ 7. Kg1. Black is clearly better (−1.55). The next best moves are 2… Bc5+ (−1.47) and 2… Nc6 (−1.45).
Is the Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −1.55: Black is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag?
A00. 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+).