English Defense
1. d4 b6
2. e4+0.75
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the English Defense (A40), reached after 1. d4 b6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. e4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.75).
Top engine moves
- +0.752. e4 Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. a3 d6 6. Qe2 a6
- +0.542. Nc3 d5 3. e4 dxe4 4. f3 e3 5. Bxe3 Bb7 6. Bb5+ Nd7
- +0.432. c4 Bb7 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Qc2 d5 5. Nf3 e6 6. cxd5 Nxd5
Other move orders
- 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6
All English Defense variations (5)
- Eastbourne GambitA401. d4 b6 2. c4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e5
- Hartlaub Gambit AcceptedA401. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. exf5 Nf6
- Hartlaub Gambit DeclinedA401. c4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. e4 f5 5. d5
- Perrin VariationA401. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nc6
- Poli GambitA401. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. f3 f5 5. exf5 Nh6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the English Defense?
After 1. d4 b6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. e4 for White, continuing Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. a3 d6 6. Qe2 a6. White is slightly better (+0.75). The next best moves are 2. Nc3 (+0.54) and 2. c4 (+0.43).
Is the English Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.75: white is slightly 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 English 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+).