Zaire Defense
1. d4 Nc6 2. d5 Nb8 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Ng8
5. Nf3+1.50
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Zaire Defense (A40), reached after 1. d4 Nc6 2. d5 Nb8 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Ng8, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White. White is clearly better (+1.50).
Top engine moves
- +1.505. Nf3 g6 6. Bc4 Bg7 7. h4 d6 8. e6 fxe6 9. dxe6 Nf6
- +1.415. Nc3 g6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Bc4 d6 8. e6 fxe6 9. dxe6 Nc6
- +1.235. Bf4 d6 6. Nf3 e6 7. Nc3 exd5 8. Qxd5 c6 9. Qd2 d5
All Zaire Defense variations (0)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Zaire Defense?
After 1. d4 Nc6 2. d5 Nb8 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Ng8, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nf3 for White, continuing g6 6. Bc4 Bg7 7. h4 d6 8. e6 fxe6 9. dxe6 Nf6. White is clearly better (+1.50). The next best moves are 5. Nc3 (+1.41) and 5. Bf4 (+1.23).
Is the Zaire Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.50: white is clearly 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 Zaire Defense?
A40. 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+).