ECO A04 · Zukertort Opening

Zukertort Opening

1. Nf3

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

1… d5+0.27

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

Analyze this position

In the Zukertort Opening (A04), reached after 1. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 1… d5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.27).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.271… d5 2. d4 Bf5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. Nh4
  2. +0.351… e6 2. d4 d5 3. c4 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. g3
  3. +0.351… Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. d4 Nxc3 6. bxc3

Other move orders

  • 1. Nf3 Nf6
  • 1. Nf3 d5
  • 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. Nc3 Nc6

All Zukertort Opening variations (40)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Zukertort Opening?
After 1. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 1… d5 for Black, continuing 2. d4 Bf5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. Nh4. The position is roughly equal (+0.27). The next best moves are 1… e6 (+0.35) and 1… Nf6 (+0.35).
Is the Zukertort Opening a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.27: 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 Zukertort Opening?
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+).