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English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense with g3 — Playing as Black
After 1.c4 d5 2.g3, White fianchettoes their king's bishop and invites you to grab a pawn with 2...dxc4. It's a sharp little moment — you take the bait and White has to prove they have compensation. The engine calls this position dead level (+0.07, a tiny edge for White so small it barely counts). That means you are not worse here; you've already equalised. Across over 128,000 games Black actually scores a respectable 43.9%, so this is a real fighting line. The interactive drill below will help you navigate White's most common replies and punish any inaccuracies.
Play the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense: g3 against the engine
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Jump into the interactive drill and practise the Anglo-Scandinavian Defense from Black's side. The engine adapts to your play — try handling each of White's ina
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By playing 2...dxc4 you accept a temporary pawn deficit in exchange for a solid, active position. White's g3 set-up aims to control the centre from a distance with the bishop on g2 and quick queenside pressure. Your job is to hold onto the extra pawn if possible, or return it under favourable circumstances. The key square to watch is d5 — if White gets to plant a piece there unchallenged, your position can become passive. Stay flexible, keep your king safe (usually by castling queenside or staying in the centre), and look to challenge White's centre with moves like ...c6 and ...b5.
The Critical Moment: White's Best Move
The engine's top choice here is Qa4+, a check that forces you to block with 3...c6. Then White recaptures the pawn with 4.Qxc4, and after 4...Qd5 the queens are likely to come off. This line leads to a simplified, roughly equal endgame where Black's solid pawn structure compensates for being slightly behind in development. In this variation you're not trying to crush White — you're aiming for a comfortable game with no real weaknesses. This is played the most (62,532 games in the database), so you should be ready for it.
White's Most Popular Replies (and How They Score)
Here is how the main options perform for White, and what each one means for you as Black: - Qa4+ (62,532 games, White scores 51.8%): The engine's favourite and the most common. Solid, nothing to fear. - Bg2 (47,675 games, White scores 53.8%): This is White's best practical try — the bishop pressurises your queenside and prepares to regain the pawn. White's highest scoring move, so stay alert. - Nc3 (8,484 games, White scores 48.5%): Below average for White. The engine calls this an inaccuracy (losing about 0.6 pawns), and Black scores well here. - e3 (3,303 games, White scores 48.0%) and e4 (1,975 games, White scores 45.0%): Both are inaccuracies according to the engine (losing about 0.8 pawns). Black's best results come against these moves — your task is to punish them.
Three Inaccuracies to Punish
The engine identifies three common White moves as clear inaccuracies in this position. Memorise them so you can react confidently: - Nc3: The knight looks natural, but it allows you to hold the extra pawn comfortably. The engine says better was Bg2. After 3.Nc3, simply defend the c4-pawn with ...b5 or ...e6 and you should be fine. White's score drops to 48.5%. - e3: Developing the pawn to e3 doesn't challenge your pawn on c4. After 3.e3, you can support the pawn with ...b5 or ...Bf5. The engine punishes this more harshly (losing 0.8 pawns). - e4: Similar to e3 but even looser. After 3.e4, White's centre looks active but the pawn on c4 is still stranded. You can defend it with ...Bf5 or ...e6 and build a strong position. White scores only 45.0% here — your best chance to grab the advantage.
Results across 128,341 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Qa4+ | 62,532 | 51.8% |
| Bg2 | 47,675 | 53.8% |
| Nc3 | 8,484 | 48.5% |
| e3 | 3,303 | 48.0% |
| e4 | 1,975 | 45.0% |
| Nf3 | 1,203 | 52.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is 2...dxc4 a good move for Black in the English Opening?
Yes — the engine evaluates the resulting position as +0.07, which is dead level. You are not worse after grabbing the pawn. Black scores 43.9% across over 128,000 games, making this a fully playable and fighting line.
What is the best response if White plays 3.Qa4+?
Block with 3...c6, then meet 4.Qxc4 with 4...Qd5. This is the engine's main line and leads to a simplified, equal position. White scores 51.8% here, so you are in no danger — just play solidly.
Which White moves are mistakes in the Anglo-Scandinavian g3 line?
The engine identifies 3.Nc3, 3.e3, and 3.e4 as inaccuracies. All three lose the chance to regain the pawn immediately. Against each one you can comfortably hold onto your extra pawn and build an active position.
What should I do if White plays 3.Bg2?
Bg2 is White's second most popular move and scores 53.8%, so be careful. The bishop puts pressure on your queenside. You should defend the c4-pawn (with ...b5 or ...e6) and complete your development before worrying about returning the pawn.
How many games feature the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense: g3?
Over 128K Lichess games have reached the English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense: g3 position. White wins 52.0%, Black wins 43.9%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.