ECO A82 · Rat Defense

Rat Defense: Balogh Defense

1. e4 d6 2. d4 f5

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

3. Nc3+1.06

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Rat Defense: Balogh Defense (A82), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nc3 for White. White is clearly better (+1.06).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.063. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bd3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nc6 6. Nxf6+ exf6 7. c3 Be6
  2. +0.853. exf5 Bxf5 4. g4 Bc8 5. Nc3 d5 6. Bf4 e6 7. h4 Bd6
  3. +0.783. Nd2 Nf6 4. Bd3 g6 5. c3 e5 6. Ngf3 d5 7. dxe5 Nxe4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Rat Defense: Balogh Defense?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nc3 for White, continuing Nf6 4. Bd3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nc6 6. Nxf6+ exf6 7. c3 Be6. White is clearly better (+1.06). The next best moves are 3. exf5 (+0.85) and 3. Nd2 (+0.78).
Is the Rat Defense: Balogh Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.06: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Rat Defense: Balogh Defense?
A82. 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+).