Chessy
Playing the Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack: g3 as Black
After the moves 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.g3 Nf6, you have reached the sharp Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack with an early g3 from White. You are already playing actively as Black — your bishop on b4 pins the knight on c3, and your knight on f6 eyes the centre. The engine rates this position at +0.30, a small edge for White, so you are slightly worse but fully in the fight. Your job is to complete development, keep the tension, and look for chances to strike back. Let's see what the statistics and engine say about how to navigate this position.
Play the English Opening: King's English Variation, Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack: g3 against the engine
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Create a free account →What Black Is Fighting For
The pin Bb4 is your main weapon. It ties White's knight to the defence of the king (since White hasn't castled yet) and makes it harder for White to play d4 without preparation. White's g3 signals a fianchetto — Bg2 is coming — which is a flexible, solid setup. But it also means White is spending time, and you can use that to complete your own development quickly. Your immediate plan: castle kingside, push d6 to secure the centre, and prepare to challenge White's control with moves like Re8 or even ...d5 at the right moment. The position is rich, not lifeless — Black scored an excellent 45.5% across over half a million games, showing this is a practical and dangerous weapon.
White's Best Move and the Main Line
Stockfish's top choice is Bg2 (played in 397,283 games, a huge majority). After Bg2, the engine recommends Nc6 d3 O-O — a clean, natural sequence. White develops the bishop to the long diagonal, shores up the centre with d3, and castles. From your side, you get your knight to c6, prepare ...d6, and can castle next move yourself. Both sides have completed harmonious development, and the fight remains balanced. The score after Bg2 is White 50.8%, a tiny bit above the overall average — it's the most principled continuation, and the one you should be ready for.
Mistakes White Can Make — and How You Punish Them
The statistics reveal three common inaccuracies from White — each one gives you a chance to improve on the main line. - Qc2 (23,782 games): This loses roughly 0.6 pawns compared to Bg2. The queen steps into the path of the bishop and blocks the fianchetto. You can answer with ...d6 and ...O-O, and the misplaced queen may become a target. - Qb3 (19,369 games): An inaccuracy worth about 0.5 pawns. The queen is exposed to ...Ba5 or ...Nc6-a5, gaining time. - a3 (15,642 games): Also loses ~0.5 pawns. White pushes the bishop, but after ...Ba5 (or ...Bxc3), you get a favourable version of the position. Spot any of these moves from White, and you can feel confident you've already gained an edge.
What the Win/Draw/Loss Numbers Tell You
The full-game statistics from 511,283 games paint a clear picture: White wins 50.5%, draws 4.0%, Black wins 45.5%. The draw rate is low — this is a fighting opening, not a drawing line. As Black you are winning almost as often as White, which is impressive given White's slight theoretical edge (+0.30). That tells you the Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack offers excellent practical chances. Don't be afraid of early complexity; your piece activity and the pin on c3 make this a dangerous setup for White who isn't well-prepared.
Results across 511,283 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg2 | 397,283 | 50.8% |
| Qc2 | 23,782 | 48.1% |
| Nd5 | 21,147 | 53.6% |
| Qb3 | 19,369 | 49.0% |
| a3 | 15,642 | 47.6% |
| e3 | 12,273 | 47.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack good for Black?
Yes, it's a solid and aggressive choice. The statistics across over 500,000 games show Black wins 45.5% of the time, nearly matching White's 50.5%. The engine gives White only a +0.30 edge — a tiny plus — meaning you are only slightly worse and have excellent practical chances.
What is White's best move after 3...Nf6?
The engine recommends Bg2, which is also by far the most popular move (397,283 games). After Bg2, the main line continues Nc6 d3 O-O. White wants to fianchetto the bishop and keep a solid centre.
What should Black do if White plays Qc2 or a3?
Those are inaccuracies. Qc2 loses about 0.6 pawns — the queen blocks the bishop. Qb3 and a3 each lose about 0.5 pawns. You can respond with natural developing moves like ...d6 and ...O-O, or use tactics like ...Ba5 to harass the queen. You've already gained an edge.
Why is the draw rate so low in this opening?
Only 4.0% of games end in a draw. The Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack leads to imbalanced, tactical positions where both sides have clear winning chances. It's a great opening to play for a win as Black without taking excessive risk.
How many games feature the English Opening: King's English Variation, Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack: g3?
Over 511K Lichess games have reached the English Opening: King's English Variation, Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack: g3 position. White wins 50.5%, Black wins 45.5%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.