Zukertort Opening

Zukertort Opening is a chess opening with the ECO code A05. It goes 1. Nf3 Nf6. White opens with 1. Nf3 (the Zukertort/Réti knight move) and Black answers 1... Nf6. After 2 moves it is White to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.

The moves

• 1. Nf3 – White plays the knight to f3
• 1... Nf6 – Black plays the knight to f6

In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 2. g3.

About the Zukertort Opening

White starts with 1.Nf3, a flexible move that develops and controls e5 and d4. White can later go into many different openings.

• It stops ...e5 for now and keeps d4 or c4 options open.
• Common follow-ups are g3, Bg2, O-O (a King's Indian Attack style).
• Black can take the centre with ...d5 and ...c5; react calmly.

Related openings

• It extends: Zukertort Opening (1. Nf3)
• Continues with: King's Indian Attack – adds 2. g3 d5
• Continues with: King's Indian Attack: Spassky Variation – adds 2. g3 b5
• Continues with: King's Indian Attack: Symmetrical Defense – adds 2. g3 g6
• Continues with: Polish Opening: Zukertort System – adds 2. b4 g6 3. Bb2
• Continues with: Zukertort Opening – adds 2. Nc3 Nc6
• Continues with: Zukertort Opening: Lemberger Gambit – adds 2. e4
• Continues with: Zukertort Opening: Myers Polish Attack – adds 2. a4 g6 3. b4
• Continues with: Zukertort Opening: Nimzo-Larsen Variation – adds 2. b3
• Related line: Zukertort Opening: Ware Defense (1. Nf3 a5)
• Related line: Zukertort Opening (1. Nf3 Nf6 2. Nc3 Nc6)
• Related line: Zukertort Opening: Wade Defense (1. Nf3 d6 2. e4 Bg4)
• Related line: Zukertort Opening: Double Fianchetto Attack (1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O)
• Related line: Zukertort Opening: Vos Gambit (1. Nf3 d6 2. d4 e5)
• Related line: Zukertort Opening: Lemberger Gambit (1. Nf3 Nf6 2. e4)

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