Chessy
How to play the Global Opening as White
The Global Opening begins with a very unusual start: 1.h3 e5 2.a3. That does not mean the game is over, but it does mean you are giving Black an easy chance to claim space and the better chances. In the exact position after these moves, it is Black to move, and the right reply is important. Use the drill below to test whether you can spot the best continuation, avoid the common inaccuracies, and keep the game from slipping further in Black’s favour.
Play the Global Opening against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position is telling you
Stockfish rates this -0.48, a small edge for Black. That means you are already slightly worse, so your next moves should be practical and careful. The main lesson is simple: do not waste time making more pawn moves unless they serve a clear purpose. As White, you need to stay alert to Black’s active reply and be ready to develop your pieces efficiently once the position opens up.
The move Black most needs to know
The engine’s best move here is d5. The listed best continuation is d5 e3 Be6 d4, which shows the kind of straightforward central play Black is aiming for. In this opening, Black is trying to use the extra space and the lead in activity to build a comfortable game. Your task in the drill is to understand that this is not a quiet wait-and-see position: the centre can become important very quickly.
What the database says
Across 401,390 games at this exact position, White wins 46.3%, draws 3.9%, and Black wins 49.8%. That is a useful reminder that the position has practical play, but it is still slightly better for Black overall. The most-played continuation is d5 with 213,580 games, and the other common choices are Nc6, Bc5, Nf6, d6, and Qf6. If you want to prepare for what you are most likely to face, start with d5 and then know the next most frequent replies.
Common mistakes to punish
Two moves are already marked as inaccuracies here. Bc5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns, with d5 as the better move. Qf6 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.9 pawns, again with d5 preferred. For White, this means you should not assume that every active-looking black move is equally strong; the move order matters, and some choices give away a noticeable amount of value right away.
Results across 401,390 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d5 | 213,580 | 45.7% |
| Nc6 | 48,669 | 47.3% |
| Bc5 | 40,302 | 45.8% |
| Nf6 | 39,682 | 46.7% |
| d6 | 19,451 | 47.7% |
| Qf6 | 11,904 | 46.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Global Opening good for White?
In this exact position, the engine gives -0.48, which means Black has a small edge. White is not lost, but White is already a little worse, so the opening is not giving you an ideal start.
What is Black’s best move after 1.h3 e5 2.a3?
The best move is d5. The engine also shows the continuation d5 e3 Be6 d4, which highlights Black’s central ambitions and active piece play.
Which replies are most common in practice?
The most-played continuation is d5, and other common moves are Nc6, Bc5, Nf6, d6, and Qf6. If you are practising this line, those are the replies you are most likely to see.
Which moves are considered mistakes here?
Bc5 and Qf6 are both listed as inaccuracies. In both cases, the better move is d5, so these are useful moves to recognise when you are facing this position.
How many games feature the Global Opening?
Over 401K Lichess games have reached the Global Opening position. White wins 46.3%, Black wins 49.8%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.