Chessy
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Scandinavian Defense, Exchange Variation
This line starts with a simple queen’s-pawn structure, but the result is not equal. After 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5, it is White to move and the position is already uncomfortable for Black. Stockfish rates it +0.98, a clear edge for White. That means you are facing a lasting problem, so your goal is to know the right reply and avoid drifting into the common inaccuracies. The drill below lets you practise the critical move and the plans that follow.
Play the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Scandinavian Defense, Exchange Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →Why this position is hard for Black
The big message here is straightforward: White has the better side of the position. The database also supports that story, with White scoring 56.8%, draws 3.8%, and Black winning 39.4% across 169,250 games at this exact position. So this is not a line where you can relax and wait for equality. You need to meet White’s pressure actively and understand which move the engine wants most.
The engine’s answer to know
The best move here is d4. That is the move the drill is built around, because it asks White to open the centre in the most testing way. The engine continuation given is d4 Nf6 Nc3 c5, so your practical task is to meet the central expansion and stay alert to White’s development. If you remember one thing from this page, remember that the engine wants d4 rather than any of the less precise choices.
Which replies are most common
You will see several moves in practice, and the most common are e4, Nc3, g3, d4, e3, and b3. The most-played continuation is e4 with 67,482 games, and White scores 58.5% there. Nc3 appears in 46,605 games with White scoring 54.2%, while g3 appears in 23,681 games with White scoring 57.7%. The move d4 is also popular, with 20,557 games and White scoring 58.5%.
The inaccuracies to watch for
Three moves are called out as inaccuracies here: Nc3, g3, and e3. Nc3 loses about 0.6 pawns, g3 loses about 0.5 pawns, and e3 loses about 0.7 pawns, with d4 listed as the better move in each case. That means you should not assume every natural developing move is equally good. In this structure, accurate central play matters more than automatic piece development.
What this opening asks of you
As Black, you need to treat this as a position where White already has a noticeable pull. Your job is to answer the central challenge cleanly, keep your position coordinated, and avoid giving White extra time or a freer centre. The drill is useful because it trains you to recognise the position quickly and choose the move the engine prefers instead of drifting into one of the weaker continuations.
Results across 169,250 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e4 | 67,482 | 58.5% |
| Nc3 | 46,605 | 54.2% |
| g3 | 23,681 | 57.7% |
| d4 | 20,557 | 58.5% |
| e3 | 4,673 | 52.0% |
| b3 | 1,636 | 54.3% |
Frequently asked questions
Is this line good for Black?
The numbers say no: Stockfish rates the position +0.98, a clear edge for White. The game statistics also favour White, so you should treat it as a difficult position to handle, not a comfortable equaliser.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is d4. The listed continuation is d4 Nf6 Nc3 c5, so the drill is focused on meeting White’s central pressure in the most accurate way.
Which White moves appear most often?
The most-played continuations are e4, Nc3, g3, d4, e3, and b3. Among them, e4 is the most common, with 67,482 games.
Which moves are marked as mistakes?
Nc3, g3, and e3 are all marked as inaccuracies in this position. In each case, d4 is given as the better move, so those natural-looking choices are not the most accurate ones.
How many games feature the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Scandinavian Defense, Exchange Variation?
Over 169K Lichess games have reached the English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Scandinavian Defense, Exchange Variation position. White wins 56.8%, Black wins 39.4%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.