ECO A04 · Zukertort Opening

Zukertort Opening: Polish Defense

1. Nf3 b5

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

2. e4+0.91

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Zukertort Opening: Polish Defense (A04), reached after 1. Nf3 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. e4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.91).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.912. e4 Bb7 3. Bxb5 Bxe4 4. d4 e6 5. O-O Nf6 6. c4 Be7
  2. +0.582. d4 d5 3. Nbd2 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. a4 b4 6. c4 bxc3
  3. +0.492. e3 a6 3. a4 b4 4. d4 Bb7 5. Nbd2 e6 6. Bd3 Nf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Zukertort Opening: Polish Defense?
After 1. Nf3 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. e4 for White, continuing Bb7 3. Bxb5 Bxe4 4. d4 e6 5. O-O Nf6 6. c4 Be7. White is clearly better (+0.91). The next best moves are 2. d4 (+0.58) and 2. e3 (+0.49).
Is the Zukertort Opening: Polish Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.91: 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: Polish 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+).