ECO A15 · English Opening

English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Scandinavian Defense

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5

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

3. cxd5+0.70

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Scandinavian Defense (A15), reached after 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. cxd5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.70).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.703. cxd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d4 Ne4 6. e3 e6 7. Be2 Nxc3
  2. +0.313. d4 e6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 b5 6. a4 c6 7. Ne5 Bb4+
  3. +0.143. e3 e6 4. d4 c5 5. Nc3 Be7 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Be2 O-O

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Scandinavian Defense?
After 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. cxd5 for White, continuing Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d4 Ne4 6. e3 e6 7. Be2 Nxc3. White is slightly better (+0.70). The next best moves are 3. d4 (+0.31) and 3. e3 (+0.14).
Is the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Scandinavian Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.70: 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, Scandinavian Defense?
A15. 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+).