ECO A04 · Zukertort Opening

Zukertort Opening: Arctic Defense

1. Nf3 f6

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

2. e4+1.00

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Zukertort Opening: Arctic Defense (A04), reached after 1. Nf3 f6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. e4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.00).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.002. e4 e6 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. O-O Bd6
  2. +0.862. d4 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O c6 6. c4 d5
  3. +0.742. a3 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 e6 5. d3 d6 6. c4 Be7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Zukertort Opening: Arctic Defense?
After 1. Nf3 f6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. e4 for White, continuing e6 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. O-O Bd6. White is clearly better (+1.00). The next best moves are 2. d4 (+0.86) and 2. a3 (+0.74).
Is the Zukertort Opening: Arctic Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.00: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Zukertort Opening: Arctic Defense?
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+).