ECO A41 · Robatsch Defense

Robatsch Defense: Rossolimo Variation

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e4 Bg4

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

5. Be2+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Robatsch Defense: Rossolimo Variation (A41), reached after 1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e4 Bg4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Be2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.445. Be2 Bxf3 6. Bxf3 Nc6 7. Be3 e5 8. d5 Nd4 9. Nc3 Ne7
  2. +0.445. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be3 e5 7. d5 Nd4 8. Be2 Bxf3 9. Bxf3 c5
  3. +0.375. d5 Nd7 6. Be2 c6 7. O-O Rc8 8. Nc3 Bxf3 9. gxf3 Ngf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Robatsch Defense: Rossolimo Variation?
After 1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e4 Bg4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Be2 for White, continuing Bxf3 6. Bxf3 Nc6 7. Be3 e5 8. d5 Nd4 9. Nc3 Ne7. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 5. Nc3 (+0.44) and 5. d5 (+0.37).
Is the Robatsch Defense: Rossolimo Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: white 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 Robatsch Defense: Rossolimo Variation?
A41. 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+).