ECO C20 · English Opening

English Opening: The Whale

1. e4 e5 2. c4

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2… Bc5−0.39

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Opening: The Whale (C20), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. c4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Bc5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.39).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.392… Bc5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 d6 5. Be2 f5 6. d3 Nf6 7. exf5
  2. −0.382… Nc6 3. a3 a5 4. Nf3 Bc5 5. Be2 d6 6. O-O Nge7 7. d3
  3. −0.172… Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Be2 a5 6. Nc3 d6 7. a3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the English Opening: The Whale?
After 1. e4 e5 2. c4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Bc5 for Black, continuing 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 d6 5. Be2 f5 6. d3 Nf6 7. exf5. Black is slightly better (−0.39). The next best moves are 2… Nc6 (−0.38) and 2… Nf6 (−0.17).
Is the English Opening: The Whale a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.39: black 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: The Whale?
C20. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

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