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Play the Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack as Black
After 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4, you are in a flexible English where both sides can play for the centre and quick piece activity. The position is already sharp enough to reward accurate development, but it is not supposed to be an early knockout. Stockfish rates this +0.13, a tiny edge for White. That means you are not worse if you know what you are doing — your job is to meet White’s natural plans calmly and choose the right setup in the drill below.
Play the English Opening: King's English Variation, Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack against the engine
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Play the drill below and practise meeting White’s plans as Black. Create a free account to train this position anytime.
Create a free account →What this opening is trying to do
The move 2...Bb4 puts immediate pressure on White’s queenside setup and asks White to make a decision early. As Black, you are not trying to grab material or force tactics at once. You are aiming for smooth development, a solid centre, and active piece placement while White works out how to continue. The position is balanced enough that good practical habits matter more than memorising long lines. If you can develop without loosening your king, you are doing the right thing.
The engine’s main setup
In this exact position, the engine’s best move is Nd5, with the continuation Nd5 Be7 Nf3 d6. That tells you the main battle is about piece activity and central control, not immediate complications. Black’s knight jump is the kind of practical move you want to understand in the drill: it fights for space, keeps your pieces coordinated, and leads into a stable middlegame. If White lets you reach an orderly setup, you should feel comfortable.
What the numbers say
Across 1,201,917 games at this exact position, White wins 51.1%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 44.9%. Those results show that White scores a little better in practice, but the gap is not huge. The position is still very playable for Black, especially if you handle the opening cleanly and avoid drifting into passive play. The most important lesson is that you cannot rely on the opening itself to give you an edge; you have to earn activity move by move.
White’s most common tries
White has several popular continuations here, so you should be ready for a range of setups rather than one fixed attack. The most-played continuations are g3 (292,777 games, White scores 51.9%), Nd5 (156,067 games, White scores 53.7%), Nf3 (144,165 games, White scores 51.3%), e4 (118,504 games, White scores 50.0%), e3 (116,206 games, White scores 50.8%), and a3 (105,972 games, White scores 49.1%). In practical terms, that means White often chooses a calm developing move, and your best response is to stay flexible, finish development, and keep your pieces active.
Results across 1,201,917 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| g3 | 292,777 | 51.9% |
| Nd5 | 156,067 | 53.7% |
| Nf3 | 144,165 | 51.3% |
| e4 | 118,504 | 50.0% |
| e3 | 116,206 | 50.8% |
| a3 | 105,972 | 49.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack good for Black?
Yes, it is a playable choice for Black. In this exact position the evaluation is +0.13, which is a tiny edge for White, so the position is basically balanced. You should expect a normal middlegame rather than a forced advantage.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is Nd5. The listed continuation is Nd5 Be7 Nf3 d6, which shows the kind of smooth development Black is aiming for. The idea is to stay active without rushing.
What should I expect White to play most often?
The most-played continuations are g3, Nd5, Nf3, e4, e3, and a3. These moves show that White usually develops naturally and keeps several options open. You should be ready for a flexible, manoeuvring game.
Who stands better in this position?
Stockfish rates the position +0.13, a small plus for White. That means you are not in trouble as Black, but you should not expect the opening to hand you an advantage. Good play should keep you close to equal.
How many games feature the English Opening: King's English Variation, Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the English Opening: King's English Variation, Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack position. White wins 51.1%, Black wins 44.9%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.