Chessy
Amar Opening: playing 1.Nh3 as White
The Amar Opening starts with 1.Nh3, and it immediately asks a practical question: what are you really aiming for after such an unusual first move? The answer is not a direct attack, but a position where you need to know what Black is trying to do next and how to stay organised. Stockfish rates the position -0.58, a small edge in your opponent's favour. That means you are already a little worse, so the drill below is about making sensible choices and avoiding an early drift into an inferior game.
Play the Amar Opening against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is telling you
The score is not a disaster, but it is not pleasant either. Black has the easier start, and the game database backs that up: across 462,405 games at this exact position, White wins 36.5%, draws 6.4%, and Black wins 57.1%. That is a clear warning that this opening is not built around immediate advantage. If you choose Amar, you should expect to prove your ideas over the board rather than rely on the first move itself doing the work.
Black's most reliable reply
The engine's best move is d5, and the main continuation given is d5 d4 c5 e4. You do not need to memorise a huge tree here; what matters is that Black can claim space and make White react. In the drill, pay attention to how quickly the game becomes about central control and piece activity rather than any direct tactics. If Black can settle into that structure comfortably, your position becomes harder to improve.
What the statistics say about common replies
The database shows several popular continuations, and they all score reasonably well for White only in the limited sense that the position is already a test. The most-played replies are e5 (152,989 games, White scores 33.9%), d5 (143,906 games, White scores 36.3%), e6 (28,885 games, White scores 37.4%), c5 (19,716 games, White scores 38.3%), d6 (19,658 games, White scores 39.8%), and Nf6 (18,781 games, White scores 36.4%). The numbers do not point to a hidden refutation of Black's play. Instead, they show that your job is to handle many different central setups without losing your footing.
The mistake to know first
There is one known mistake in the exact position: d6 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns, with d5 given as better. That is useful because it gives you a concrete pattern to recognise in the drill: when Black chooses a less accurate central setup, you should be ready to punish it by taking the better lines seriously and keeping your pieces active. Even in an offbeat opening, small inaccuracies matter quickly.
Results across 462,405 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 152,989 | 33.9% |
| d5 | 143,906 | 36.3% |
| e6 | 28,885 | 37.4% |
| c5 | 19,716 | 38.3% |
| d6 | 19,658 | 39.8% |
| Nf6 | 18,781 | 36.4% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Amar Opening good for White?
The statistics here do not support a strong claim for White. Stockfish gives -0.58, which means Black is slightly better, and the database shows Black winning more often than White at this exact position. If you play it, do so with clear eyes and a plan to handle Black's central play.
What is Black's best move against 1.Nh3?
The engine's best move is **d5**. The listed continuation is **d5 d4 c5 e4**, which shows that Black can immediately fight for the centre and steer the game into a structured middlegame.
Which replies are most common after 1.Nh3?
The most-played continuations are **e5**, **d5**, **e6**, **c5**, **d6**, and **Nf6**. Those choices tell you that Black usually aims for a direct central presence rather than trying something exotic.
What should I focus on in the drill?
Focus on staying coordinated and respecting Black's central chances. This opening is not about memorising a long forcing line; it is about recognising that you are already slightly worse and then making the most sensible move in each resulting position.
How many games feature the Amar Opening?
Over 462K Lichess games have reached the Amar Opening position. White wins 36.5%, Black wins 57.1%, with 6.4% draws — based on real rated games.