FENrnbqkb1r/pppppppp/5n2/8/8/5N2/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq -
Zukertort Opening: what should White play?
Best move
c4+0.25
By playing c4, you are entering the English Opening. You immediately exert pressure on the d5 square and prepare to develop your b1 to c3 without blocking your c2 pawn. It is a…
- Games played
- 28M
- To move
- White
- Evaluation
- +0.25
- Depth
- 25
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why c4 is the best move
c4! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 4 top moves — you found a high-level strategy that most humans miss!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing c4, you are entering the English Opening. You immediately exert pressure on the d5 square and prepare to develop your b1 to c3 without blocking your c2 pawn. It is a sophisticated, flank-based approach to controlling the center.
Multiple Valid Strategies
While you chose the most ambitious path, this position is rich with top-tier options:
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| c4 | +0.25 | Flank Control: Fights for the center from the side. |
| d4 | +0.20 | Classical: Occupies the center directly with a pawn. |
| g3 | +0.16 | Hypermodern: Prepares to fianchetto the f1. |
| e3 | +0.10 | Solid: A flexible waiting move, keeping options open. |
Different paths, same destination: While most players at your level instinctively retreat with Ng1 (a mistake that loses tempo), you looked forward. c4 and d4 are aggressive and direct, whereas g3 is more positional and patient. All four are objectively excellent!
Your Continuation
After c4:
c5 Nc3 e6 g3 d5
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That you don't need to react to Black's f6 immediately. Instead of retreating, you seized the initiative by expanding on the queenside. While 89% of humans play the passive retreat, you found the engine's top choice!
📚 Takeaway: When the center is open, look for ways to increase your influence. Whether you choose the direct d4 or your sophisticated c4, staying active is the key to maintaining the advantage.
What else gets played here
Move choices from 28M games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| g3 | +0.16 | 11M | 54% | |
| d4 | +0.20 | 9.50M | 52% | |
| c4Engine pick | +0.25 | 6.03M | 54% | |
| e3 | +0.10 | 1.81M | 51% | |
| c3 | +0.09 | 271K | 50% |
The line
More positions in the Zukertort Opening
- Best moved4Pawn d2 → d4Zukertort Opening: Kingside Fianchetto31M games
- Best moveNg5Knight f3 → g5Zukertort Opening: Tennison Gambit30M games
- Best moveBf5Bishop c8 → f5Zukertort Opening: Tennison Gambit17M games
- Best moveNf6Knight g8 → f6Zukertort Opening: Kingside Fianchetto17M games
- Best moved4Pawn d2 → d4Zukertort Opening: Black Mustang Defense13M games
- Best moveNc3Knight b1 → c3Zukertort Opening: Lemberger Gambit12M games
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for White in the Zukertort Opening?
c4 (+0.25). By playing c4, you are entering the English Opening. You immediately exert pressure on the d5 square and prepare to develop your b1 to c3 without blocking your c2 pawn. It is a…
Why is c4 the best move here?
By playing c4, you are entering the English Opening. You immediately exert pressure on the d5 square and prepare to develop your b1 to c3 without blocking your c2 pawn. It is a sophisticated, flank-based approach to controlling the center.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 28M times in the opening book.