ECO A17 · English Opening

English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Hedgehog System

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6

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

3. e4+0.30

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Hedgehog System (A17), reached after 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. e4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.30).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.303. e4 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 d4 6. exf6 dxc3 7. Bb5+ c6
  2. +0.303. Nf3 Bb4 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. a3 Be7 7. d4 dxc4
  3. +0.203. d4 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. e3 O-O 6. Bd3 d5 7. cxd5 exd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Hedgehog System?
After 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. e4 for White, continuing d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. e5 d4 6. exf6 dxc3 7. Bb5+ c6. White is slightly better (+0.30). The next best moves are 3. Nf3 (+0.30) and 3. d4 (+0.20).
Is the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Hedgehog System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.30: 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 Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Hedgehog System?
A17. 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+).