ECO C20 · King's Pawn Opening

King's Pawn Opening

1. e4 e5 2. b3

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

2… Nf6−0.55

Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the King's Pawn Opening (C20), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. b3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.55).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.552… Nf6 3. Nc3 Bc5 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Na4 Be7 6. Nxe5 Nxe4 7. Bd3
  2. −0.542… Bc5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 Ne4 6. Bd3 d5 7. exd6
  3. −0.392… Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Bb2 Bg4 7. Bb5

All King's Pawn Opening variations (2)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the King's Pawn Opening?
After 1. e4 e5 2. b3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black, continuing 3. Nc3 Bc5 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Na4 Be7 6. Nxe5 Nxe4 7. Bd3. Black is slightly better (−0.55). The next best moves are 2… Bc5 (−0.54) and 2… Nc6 (−0.39).
Is the King's Pawn Opening a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.55: 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 King's Pawn Opening?
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+).