Rat Defense: Harmonist
1. e4 d6 2. f4
2… e5−0.17
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Rat Defense: Harmonist (B00), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. f4, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… e5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.17).
Top engine moves
- −0.172… e5 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 c5 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5+
- +0.082… c5 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qf2 f5 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bd3
- +0.172… Nf6 3. Nc3 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. e5 dxe5 6. fxe5 Ng4 7. Bb5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Rat Defense: Harmonist?
After 1. e4 d6 2. f4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… e5 for Black, continuing 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 c5 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. Bb5+. The position is roughly equal (−0.17). The next best moves are 2… c5 (+0.08) and 2… Nf6 (+0.17).
Is the Rat Defense: Harmonist a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.17: the position is roughly equal. 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 Rat Defense: Harmonist?
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+).