ECO A00 · Saragossa Opening

Saragossa Opening

1. c3

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

1… e5+0.06

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Saragossa Opening (A00), reached after 1. c3, Stockfish 18 recommends 1… e5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.06).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.061… e5 2. d4 e4 3. c4 c6 4. d5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bc5 6. e3
  2. +0.101… Nf6 2. d4 g6 3. Bf4 d6 4. e3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. Nf3
  3. +0.181… d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Nbd2 d5 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2

All Saragossa Opening variations (0)

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best move in the Saragossa Opening?
    After 1. c3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 1… e5 for Black, continuing 2. d4 e4 3. c4 c6 4. d5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bc5 6. e3. The position is roughly equal (+0.06). The next best moves are 1… Nf6 (+0.10) and 1… d6 (+0.18).
    Is the Saragossa Opening a good opening?
    Stockfish rates the position at +0.06: 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 Saragossa Opening?
    A00. 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+).