FENrnbqkb1r/pppp2pp/5n2/4pp2/2P5/2N3P1/PP1PPPBP/R1BQK1NR b KQkq -
English: King's, 2.Nc3 f5: what to play after Nc3?
Best move
Be7+0.19
By playing Be7, you prioritize flexible development and king safety. This move prepares for O-O while keeping the e7 tucked away safely, avoiding the tactical complications that…
- Games played
- 593K
- To move
- Black
- Evaluation
- +0.19
- Depth
- 25
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why Be7 is the best move
Be7! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 3 top moves — you found a master-level strategy!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing Be7, you prioritize flexible development and king safety. This move prepares for O-O while keeping the e7 tucked away safely, avoiding the tactical complications that often arise when the bishop is placed more aggressively.
Multiple Valid Strategies
This position is a rare "triple-path" crossroad where three different philosophies are all objectively equal.
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Be7 | +0.19 | Solid & Flexible: Prepares castling and keeps the center fluid. |
| Bb4 | +0.20 | Active & Pressuring: Pins the c3 to challenge White's control of d5. |
| d6 | +0.25 | Classical & Sturdy: Solidifies the e5 chain and prepares development. |
Different paths, same destination:
While many players at your level instinctively reach for Bc5 to target f2, that move actually allows White to gain time with e3. Your choice, Be7, is much more sophisticated—it is a "non-natural" engine favorite that 0% of human players typically find in this exact spot!
Your Continuation
After Be7:
d3 O-O Nf3 Nc6 O-O
What Made This Move Good
You correctly recognized that the f8 needed a home that didn't leave it vulnerable to White's central expansion. By choosing the modest e7, you maintain a rock-solid defensive shell while keeping all your options open for the middlegame.
📚 Takeaway: When multiple moves are correct, trust your intuition. You chose the most solid path in a complex position!
What else gets played here
Move choices from 593K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bc5 | +0.40 | 181K | 58% | |
| d6 | +0.25 | 123K | 55% | |
| Bb4 | +0.20 | 118K | 54% | |
| Nc6 | +0.36 | 116K | 55% | |
| Be7Engine pick | +0.19 | 55K | 55% |
The line
More positions in the English
All English positions →Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for Black in the English: King's, 2.Nc3 f5?
Be7 (+0.19). By playing Be7, you prioritize flexible development and king safety. This move prepares for O-O while keeping the e7 tucked away safely, avoiding the tactical complications that…
Why is Be7 the best move here?
By playing Be7, you prioritize flexible development and king safety. This move prepares for O-O while keeping the e7 tucked away safely, avoiding the tactical complications that often arise when the bishop is placed more aggressively.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 593K times in the opening book.