Chessy
Anderssen's Opening: g6 — A Quiet Start That Packs a Punch
Starting a game with 1.a3 might look like a joke, but Anderssen's Opening is a real weapon for players who want to sidestep mountains of theory. After 1.a3 g6 you push into the centre with 2.e4, reaching a position that's dead level according to the engine (-0.16) — so nothing is lost and nothing is gained yet. The position is still wide open, and the statistics from over 49,000 online games show it's razor-thin: White wins 47.1%, Black wins 48.8%. The question is: can you handle what comes next better than your opponent?
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Create a free account →What You're Fighting For — The Centre and Your Bishop
After 1.a3 g6 2.e4 you've staked a claim to the centre, and Black will almost certainly fianchetto with ...Bg7 to pressure d4 and e5. Your extra move a3 does nothing for development — you've used a tempo on the flank — so you need to play with energy. The engine's top recommendation is 2...c5, which attacks your d4-square and fights for central space. Against that, the line runs 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Nc3, and you have a comfortable Sicilian-type setup. Your plan: develop quickly, castle kingside, and use your central pawn duo to control the game. The a3 move isn't useless — it can later support b4 or keep Black's bishops and knights from landing on b4.
Most-Played Replies — What You'll Actually Face
In practice, Black almost never plays the engine-best 2...c5. Here's what you'll see on the board, with White's winning percentage in brackets: - Bg7 (43,393 games, White scores 46.8%) — by far the most common, a natural fianchetto but the engine calls it an inaccuracy. - d6 (1,764 games, White scores 49.2%) — prepares ...Bg7 or ...Nf6, also an inaccuracy. - b6 (636 games, White scores 47.3%) — a Queen's Indian setup that the engine marks as the worst inaccuracy here, costing nearly a pawn of advantage. - e6 (591 games, White scores 47.9%) — readies ...d5 to challenge your centre. - e5 (546 games, White scores 49.8%) — symmetrical centre, leading to calm play. - Nf6 (514 games, White scores 51.8%) — Black's best-scoring reply, attacking e4 immediately.
The Critical Moment — Punishing Black's Inaccuracies
Black's three most popular choices — Bg7, d6, and b6 — are all inaccuracies according to the engine. That means if your opponent picks any of these lines, they've already slipped. Instead of playing c5 to fight for the dark squares, they're letting you dictate the centre. After 2...Bg7, develop actively with 3.Nf3 (or 3.d4, instantly occupying the centre) followed by Nc3. After 2...d6, the same development works — you can play 3.Nf3 and later d4, creating a big centre. Against 2...b6, Black is being slow; respond with 3.d4 and seize the space before they can consolidate their queenside.
The Engine's Verdict and What It Means for You
Stockfish rates this position at -0.16, a tiny edge for Black that hardly matters at club level. The key takeaway: you are starting from a clean slate. The engine says the best continuation is 2...c5, after which both sides have chances. But since almost no one plays that at the board, you'll usually face a slower move that gives you a small window to take the initiative. Your job is straightforward: develop your pieces to natural squares, castle, and look to push d4 when the time is right. The a3 move may look humble, but it keeps piece-intrusion ideas on the queenside in check. Play solid chess, and the statistics show this opening is perfectly playable for White.
Results across 49,055 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg7 | 43,393 | 46.8% |
| d6 | 1,764 | 49.2% |
| b6 | 636 | 47.3% |
| e6 | 591 | 47.9% |
| e5 | 546 | 49.8% |
| Nf6 | 514 | 51.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is Anderssen's Opening: g6 a good opening for beginners?
Yes — it's straightforward and avoids heavy opening theory. The engine calls this position dead level (-0.16), so you're not at a disadvantage. Just develop naturally, control the centre, and you'll reach a playable middlegame every time.
What should White do after 1.a3 g6 2.e4 Bg7?
This is by far the most common reply (43,393 games). Develop with 3.Nf3 or 3.d4. Both are fine. The engine marks ...Bg7 as an inaccuracy — Black should have played ...c5 instead — so you already have a slight edge if you play actively.
Why is 2...c5 the engine's best move for Black?
Black's ...c5 challenges your d4-square and fights for central space immediately. After 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Nc3 the position resembles a Sicilian where White's extra a3 provides useful prophylaxis on the queenside.
What are Black's biggest mistakes in this position?
The three most common moves — ...Bg7, ...d6, and ...b6 — are all inaccuracies. ...b6 is the worst, with the engine pointing to c5 as the correct continuation. If Black plays any of these, you can take control with energetic development and a well-timed d4 push.
How many games feature the Anderssen's Opening: g6?
Over 49K Lichess games have reached the Anderssen's Opening: g6 position. White wins 47.1%, Black wins 48.8%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.