ECO A04 · Zukertort Defense

Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation

1. Nf3 Nh6 2. d4 g6

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

3. Bf4+1.03

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation (A04), reached after 1. Nf3 Nh6 2. d4 g6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Bf4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.03).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.033. Bf4 d5 4. c4 c6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. e3 Ng4 7. cxd5 cxd5
  2. +0.963. e4 Bg7 4. Bf4 d5 5. Qd2 dxe4 6. Bxh6 Bxh6 7. Qxh6 exf3
  3. +0.833. c4 d6 4. e4 Bg7 5. h3 O-O 6. Nc3 c5 7. d5 f5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation?
After 1. Nf3 Nh6 2. d4 g6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Bf4 for White, continuing d5 4. c4 c6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. e3 Ng4 7. cxd5 cxd5. White is clearly better (+1.03). The next best moves are 3. e4 (+0.96) and 3. c4 (+0.83).
Is the Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.03: 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 Zukertort Defense: Kingside Variation?
A04. 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+).