"Those who say they understand chess, understand nothing" -- Robert HUBNER

The Best Reply to 1.e4

: Created:20 Jul 2014 , by

Three of the world's chess leading experts advise and you will be surprised by their conclusions.

It's official. By a two to one vote the French Defence is the best reply.

Stockfish and Houdini are agreed upon the French as their favoured reply but Komodo is with Paul Morphy in voting for 1...e5.

Houdini's second choice is 1...d5 immediately challenging White's (possibly) premature advance. Komodo and Stockfish opt for 1...Nc6 as their third selection despite the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings' churlish dismissal of this fine computer move.

The Sicilian Defence creeps into fourth place on Stockfish's and Komodo's list but Houdini prefers 1...d6 although perhaps not with a kingside fianchetto of his bishop in mind.

These computers outrate Magnus Carlsen so their views should be respected next time you face a king's pawn opening.