ECO A05 · Zukertort Opening

Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. b3

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

2… c5−0.12

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

Analyze this position

In the Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation (A05), reached after 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. b3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… c5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.12).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.122… c5 3. Bb2 g6 4. Bxf6 exf6 5. c4 f5 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. g3
  2. −0.022… g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. e3 b6 6. c4 Bb7 7. Be2
  3. +0.022… d5 3. Bb2 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Bb5 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. Ne5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation?
After 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. b3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… c5 for Black, continuing 3. Bb2 g6 4. Bxf6 exf6 5. c4 f5 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. g3. The position is roughly equal (−0.12). The next best moves are 2… g6 (−0.02) and 2… d5 (+0.02).
Is the Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.12: 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: Nimzo-Larsen Variation?
A05. 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+).