ECO B00 · Goldsmith Defense

Goldsmith Defense

1. e4 h5

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

2. d4+0.99

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Goldsmith Defense (B00), reached after 1. e4 h5, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.99).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.992. d4 c6 3. Bd3 d5 4. Nd2 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bf5 6. Ng5 Nh6
  2. +0.932. Nf3 c6 3. d4 d5 4. Nc3 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bf5 6. Nc5 Qc7
  3. +0.762. Be2 c5 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Nf6 5. O-O g6 6. Re1 Bg7

All Goldsmith Defense variations (1)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Goldsmith Defense?
After 1. e4 h5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. d4 for White, continuing c6 3. Bd3 d5 4. Nd2 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bf5 6. Ng5 Nh6. White is clearly better (+0.99). The next best moves are 2. Nf3 (+0.93) and 2. Be2 (+0.76).
Is the Goldsmith Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.99: white is clearly 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 Goldsmith Defense?
B00. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

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