ECO B00 · Goldsmith Defense

Goldsmith Defense: Picklepuss Defense

1. e4 h5 2. d4 Nf6

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

3. e5+1.37

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Goldsmith Defense: Picklepuss Defense (B00), reached after 1. e4 h5 2. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. e5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.37).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.373. e5 Nd5 4. c4 Nb6 5. a4 a5 6. c5 Nd5 7. Nc3 Nxc3
  2. +1.033. Nc3 d5 4. e5 Ne4 5. Nxe4 dxe4 6. c3 Bf5 7. Qb3 Qc8
  3. +1.013. Bd3 d6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. c3 e5 7. h3 Bxf3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Goldsmith Defense: Picklepuss Defense?
After 1. e4 h5 2. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. e5 for White, continuing Nd5 4. c4 Nb6 5. a4 a5 6. c5 Nd5 7. Nc3 Nxc3. White is clearly better (+1.37). The next best moves are 3. Nc3 (+1.03) and 3. Bd3 (+1.01).
Is the Goldsmith Defense: Picklepuss Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.37: 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: Picklepuss 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+).