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. 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: 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+).