ECO A15 · English Orangutan

English Orangutan

1. c4 Nf6 2. b4

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

2… e5−0.40

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the English Orangutan (A15), reached after 1. c4 Nf6 2. b4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… e5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.40).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.402… e5 3. a3 c5 4. b5 a6 5. bxa6 Rxa6 6. e3 d6 7. Bb2
  2. −0.382… e6 3. a3 d5 4. e3 c5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. bxc5 Bxc5 7. d4
  3. −0.292… d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. a3 a5 5. b5 e5 6. e4 Nb6 7. Bb2

Other move orders

  • 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. b4

All English Orangutan variations (0)

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best move in the English Orangutan?
    After 1. c4 Nf6 2. b4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… e5 for Black, continuing 3. a3 c5 4. b5 a6 5. bxa6 Rxa6 6. e3 d6 7. Bb2. Black is slightly better (−0.40). The next best moves are 2… e6 (−0.38) and 2… d5 (−0.29).
    Is the English Orangutan a good opening?
    Stockfish rates the position at −0.40: 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 Orangutan?
    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+).