Chessy
Amazon Attack: playing 1.d4 d5 2.Qd3 as White
The Amazon Attack starts with an early queen move, so your games can become sharp and unusual very quickly. That also means you need a clear plan: stay alert, develop smoothly, and be ready for Black to challenge your queen’s idea immediately. This page helps you understand the main replies and the one engine recommendation you need to know before you go into the drill below. You will get the most value by testing your reactions move by move, not by memorising a long line.
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Create a free account →What the position is asking you to solve
After 1.d4 d5 2.Qd3, Black to move, the opening is already testing whether your queen can justify its early journey. The position is not about flashy tactics right away; it is about whether you can keep your development on track while Black tries to use the tempo on your queen. Stockfish rates this -0.43, a small edge for Black. That means you are slightly worse here, so you should treat the position as one where accuracy matters from the start.
The engine’s main answer
The engine’s best move here is c5, and the continuation given is c5 e3 Nc6 Nf3. That tells you Black is likely to hit the centre and develop naturally, rather than wasting time chasing the queen in a random way. For you, the practical lesson is simple: do not panic, and do not spend too many moves on the queen. Focus on getting your pieces out and keeping your position solid.
What the database says
This exact position has been played 703,353 times in the Lichess database, so it is a real practical battleground rather than a rare curiosity. White wins 43.2%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 52.7%. The results match the engine’s warning: Black scores better here, so you should enter the drill expecting to work for equality rather than to press a full opening advantage.
Most common replies and what they suggest
The most-played continuations are Nc6, Nf6, e6, g6, c6, and c5. That range is useful because it shows Black usually develops in a straightforward way and does not need to do anything dramatic to keep the initiative. Among those choices, g6 is marked as an inaccuracy, and the better move was c5. In practical terms, that means you should be ready for natural development from Black, and you should not assume one passive-looking reply will solve your problems.
A simple mindset for the drill
With White, your job is not to force an early attack just because the queen came out. The safer mindset is to ask whether your early queen move has bought you something concrete, while you develop your kingside pieces and keep your centre under control. If Black responds well, you may need to prove that your position is still playable. Use the drill to learn which responses let you stay organised and which ones let Black take over the game.
Results across 703,353 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 242,898 | 43.0% |
| Nf6 | 203,063 | 42.0% |
| e6 | 107,929 | 43.9% |
| g6 | 37,616 | 44.2% |
| c6 | 30,009 | 45.3% |
| c5 | 21,398 | 38.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Amazon Attack good for White?
The numbers here do not suggest a White advantage. Stockfish gives -0.43, a small edge for Black, and the database also shows Black scoring better overall in this exact position.
What is Black’s best move against 1.d4 d5 2.Qd3?
The engine’s best move is c5. The listed continuation is c5 e3 Nc6 Nf3, which gives you a useful model for the kind of play Black wants.
Which replies are most common in this position?
The most-played continuations are Nc6, Nf6, e6, g6, c6, and c5. That means you should prepare for normal development more than for a forced tactical sequence.
Is g6 a good response here?
No. g6 is listed as an inaccuracy, and the better move was c5. If you face g6, remember that Black has already given up a little accuracy in this exact position.
How many games feature the Amazon Attack?
Over 703K Lichess games have reached the Amazon Attack position. White wins 43.2%, Black wins 52.7%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.