ECO A06 · Zukertort Opening

Zukertort Opening: Ampel Variation

1. Nf3 d5 2. Rg1

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

2… c5−0.82

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Zukertort Opening: Ampel Variation (A06), reached after 1. Nf3 d5 2. Rg1, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… c5 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.82).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.822… c5 3. c3 Nc6 4. d4 e6 5. Rh1 Nf6 6. Nbd2 Qc7 7. e3
  2. −0.732… Nf6 3. c3 c5 4. d4 Nc6 5. dxc5 e5 6. b4 e4 7. Nd4
  3. −0.722… g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6. Rh1 O-O 7. c3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Zukertort Opening: Ampel Variation?
After 1. Nf3 d5 2. Rg1, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… c5 for Black, continuing 3. c3 Nc6 4. d4 e6 5. Rh1 Nf6 6. Nbd2 Qc7 7. e3. Black is clearly better (−0.82). The next best moves are 2… Nf6 (−0.73) and 2… g6 (−0.72).
Is the Zukertort Opening: Ampel Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.82: black 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 Opening: Ampel Variation?
A06. 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+).