Flank openings

Zukertort Opening

1.Nf3

The Zukertort Opening starts with 1.Nf3 and is catalogued under ECO A04, in the flank openings half of the book. The catalog indexes 47 lines inside it, grouped into 41 named variations, and the position after those moves has 1 playable continuation to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

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Current position
Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Normal Line
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.Nf3

    Develops a knight toward the center, where it controls e5 and d4.

    Idea: Add central influence while preparing to castle kingside.

  2. 1d5

    Advances to d5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  3. 2.d4

    Advances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  4. 2Nf6

    Develops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  5. 3.c4

    Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  6. 3e6

    Advances to e6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  7. 4.Nc3

    Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  8. 4Be7

    Develops the bishop to e7, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  9. 5.Bg5

    Develops the bishop to g5, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  10. 5O-O

    Tucks the king away and activates the rook in a single move.

    Idea: Finish kingside development so the central pieces can coordinate safely.

  11. 6.e3

    Advances to e3 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

Book continuations

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1 move

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Zukertort Opening. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

17 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Zukertort Opening.