Chessy
King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation – 1.e4 e5 2.d3 Nc6 3.Nf3
The Leonardis Variation starts quietly with 2.d3, dodging the massive theory of the Italian and Ruy Lopez. After 1.e4 e5 2.d3 Nc6, you develop naturally with 3.Nf3, and Black now has to choose how to respond. Statistically this position is dead level — Stockfish gives -0.02, meaning you are neither better nor worse out of the opening. The database of nearly 7 million games tells a slightly sobering story, though: Black actually scores 49.3% here against 46.2% for White. This page will show you the critical ideas, the best response to prepare for, and the mistakes you can punish. The interactive drill below lets you practice the position against a bot.
Play the King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation: Nc6 against the engine
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Try the interactive drill below to practice the Leonardis Variation against an adapting engine. Play as White and see if you can improve on the 46.2% win rate —
Create a free account →What You Are Fighting For
With the quiet 2.d3, White keeps the centre flexible rather than grabbing space with d4 immediately. Your pawn on e4, supported by d3, controls the centre while your knight on f3 develops toward the kingside. The position is symmetrical and balanced — you have no weakness, but you also have no advantage yet. Your main job is to finish development smoothly (g3 and Bg2, or Bc4 and 0-0) without letting Black's pieces seize the initiative. Because the engine calls this dead level, a small inaccuracy by either side can tip the balance. Stay patient, develop efficiently, and look for the moment to play d4 yourself or expand on the kingside.
Black's Most Popular Replies
In over 6.8 million games from this position, Black's choices break down into a clear hierarchy. The most common move is Nf6 (2.6 million games), a natural developing move that fights for the centre and attacks your e4 pawn. Black scores 54.2% after this — so it is the toughest test. Next is Bc5 (nearly 2 million games), which is actually a known inaccuracy that loses about 0.8 pawns of advantage compared to the best reply. Black also plays d6 (876k games, your best scoring chance at 48.7%), h6 (453k games), d5 (279k games), and Bb4+ (168k games). The check Bb4+ is also an inaccuracy, costing Black roughly 0.7 pawns.
Punishing Black's Inaccuracies
Two of Black's popular moves are genuine mistakes worth knowing about. If Black plays Bc5, they have left their kingside undeveloped and given you a small edge. The engine recommends Nf6 as the best reply, but in practice you should simply continue developing — g3 and Bg2, or even the immediate d4 to open the centre, are solid plans. Black's other inaccuracy is Bb4+. After this check, you can block with Bd2 or Nbd2, and your position is slightly better because Black has wasted a tempo with the bishop. The statistics support this: after Bb4+ you score 48.4%, which is above your average from this position (46.2%). Both of these moves give you a chance to outplay your opponent if you stay alert.
The Engine's Blueprint
Stockfish's recommended continuation for Black from this position is Nf6, followed by g3, d5, and exd5. That line shows you the engine's plan for both sides: Black challenges your centre immediately with Nf6 and d5, while White responds with the flexible fianchetto setup g3 + Bg2. You do not have to memorise this exact sequence — the key takeaway is that White's typical plan is to fianchetto the kingside bishop, castle quickly, and maintain the central tension. If Black captures on e4 with dxe4, you recapture and enjoy a comfortable game. The most important skill from this position is recognising that 'nothing is happening' is fine — you just need a solid development scheme and the patience to outplay your opponent in the middlegame.
Results across 6,888,707 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 2,632,615 | 45.8% |
| Bc5 | 1,955,661 | 45.3% |
| d6 | 875,990 | 48.7% |
| h6 | 452,588 | 44.8% |
| d5 | 279,115 | 45.4% |
| Bb4+ | 168,494 | 48.4% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Leonardis Variation a good opening for beginners?
Yes, it is a fine choice for beginners. The quiet move 2.d3 avoids the sharpest lines of the Italian, Ruy Lopez, or Petroff, letting you develop naturally while staying in familiar territory. The position is dead level (Stockfish -0.02), so there is no risk of losing by force — you just need to outplay your opponent.
What should I play against Black's Bc5 in the Leonardis?
Bc5 is actually a small mistake from Black, losing about 0.8 pawns compared to the better move Nf6. You can simply continue developing with g3 and Bg2, or play d4 immediately to open the centre. The statistics show you score 45.3% from this position — slightly below average, but still a playable game where Black's inaccuracy gives you a subtle edge.
Why does Black score better than White in this opening?
Across nearly 7 million games, Black wins 49.3% versus White's 46.2%. This is partly because the quiet 2.d3 gives Black easy equality, and many White players may be less familiar with the resulting positions than their opponents. The engine calls the position dead level (-0.02), so the statistical edge for Black is likely a matter of practical play, not a theoretical problem.
How do I punish Black's Bb4+ in this line?
Bb4+ is an inaccuracy (costing about 0.7 pawns). Simply block with Bd2 or Nbd2. After you block the check, Black's bishop has committed to a square where it may later be kicked with a3, and Black has spent a tempo while you develop. Your winning chances improve to 48.4%, significantly higher than the average for White in this position.