Chessy
Play Black in the English Opening: Anglo-Lithuanian Variation
This is not a quiet game. After 1.c4 Nc6 2.d4 e5, you as Black have thrown the first punch in the centre – and White has to decide how to handle it. The statistics across 443,538 games tell a clear story: White wins 52.2% of the time, Black wins 44.3%, and draws are rare at 3.5%. Stockfish assesses the position at +0.70, a solid edge for White. That means you are clearly worse here from the start. But don't let that discourage you – this sharp line gives Black real counter-chances, especially if White doesn't know the best reply. The drill below will let you practise the critical moment right now.
Play the English Opening: Anglo-Lithuanian Variation: d4 against the engine
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Jump into the interactive drill now and practise handling White's best reply – or punishing their mistakes. Create a free account to track your progress and see
Create a free account →The Critical Moment: White's Best Move
After your bold 2…e5, the engine says White should play 3.d5 – and it's not close. This move is played in 265,099 games (by far the most popular choice) and scores 52.5% for White. The other options? They all drop points. dxe5 (55,058 games, 52.4%) is labelled an inaccuracy that loses roughly 0.6 pawns. e3 (54,307 games, 53.2%) loses about 0.7 pawns, also an inaccuracy. Even the natural-looking Nf3 (44,976 games, 53.0%) is an inaccuracy costing roughly 0.6 pawns. The message is clear: if White plays anything other than 3.d5, they are squandering their advantage – and that's where your chances begin. When White does play 3.d5, the engine's best line continues 3…Bb4+ 4.Nd2 Nce7, giving you active piece play and a pawn break to aim for.
Where Black Scores Best
Look closely at the statistics and a pattern emerges. While most of White's moves score above 52%, two options stand out for the wrong reasons. After 3.Nc3 (played 17,160 times), White's score drops to just 45.9% – meaning Black wins more than White from that position. And after 3.e4 (only 2,154 games, so rare), White scores a measly 41.9%. Why? Both of these moves allow you to open lines for your pieces. After 3.Nc3, you can take on d4 with your knight, or play …exd4 and develop with tempo. After 3.e4, the centre becomes fluid and your knight on c6 is well placed to cause trouble. These aren't the engine's top recommendations, but they show that White can go wrong – and that knowing this position gives you practical chances.
What You're Fighting For: The Pawn Structure
The key battleground in the Anglo-Lithuanian is the central pawn chain. When White plays 3.d5 (the best move), they gain space and kick your knight, but you immediately hit back with 3…Bb4+, pinning the knight White will likely use to defend. After 4.Nd2 Nce7, your knight retreats to a good square while the bishop stays active on b4. Your plan from here: aim for …c6 or …f5 to challenge White's centre, and keep an eye on the d4-square as an outpost for your knight. White has the space advantage, but your position is solid and you have clear targets. The engine's evaluation of +0.70 reflects that White is better – but it's a long game, and you have real counterplay if you understand the structure.
Three Mistakes White Can Make (and How to Punish Them)
If White doesn't play 3.d5, they've already slipped. Here's what to do against each inaccuracy: - 3.dxe5 – an inaccuracy. Simply recapture with your knight (3…Nxe5) and develop quickly. You've traded a central pawn but your pieces are active. White gave up the cramping effect of d5 too early. - 3.e3 – an inaccuracy. This quiet move blocks White's c1-bishop and does nothing to fight for the centre. Play 3…exd4 4.exd4 d5 and you're already equalising. White's score of 53.2% here comes mostly from weaker opposition, not from the position itself. - 3.Nf3 – an inaccuracy. A natural developing move, but it allows 3…e4, gaining a tempo. After 4.Ng1 (embarrassing) or 4.Nd4 Nxd4 5.Qxd4, you've traded your active knight but gained time. Black scores well in practice here because White's knight has wasted a move.
Results across 443,538 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d5 | 265,099 | 52.5% |
| dxe5 | 55,058 | 52.4% |
| e3 | 54,307 | 53.2% |
| Nf3 | 44,976 | 53.0% |
| Nc3 | 17,160 | 45.9% |
| e4 | 2,154 | 41.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the English Opening: Anglo-Lithuanian Variation good for Black?
It's playable but objectively slightly worse. Stockfish gives the position +0.70, meaning White has a clear edge. However, Black wins 44.3% of games at club level, and if White doesn't play the precise 3.d5, Black's chances improve dramatically.
What is White's best move against 1.c4 Nc6 2.d4 e5?
The engine's best move is 3.d5, continuing with d5 Bb4+ Nd2 Nce7. This is played in over 265,000 games and scores 52.5% for White. Moves like dxe5, e3, and Nf3 are all inaccuracies that give Black extra counterplay.
How should Black respond to 3.d5 in the Anglo-Lithuanian?
Play 3…Bb4+, pinning the knight White is likely to use on d2. After 4.Nd2, retreat your knight to e7 with 4…Nce7. Your bishop stays active on b4, and you can follow up with moves like c6 or f5 to challenge White's centre.
What happens if White plays 3.Nc3 instead of d5?
White's score drops to just 45.9% – Black actually wins more often than White from this position. You can capture on d4 with your knight or play exd4 and develop rapidly. This is a clear example of White picking the wrong move and losing their advantage.