Chessy
Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Mittenberger Gambit as Black
You are playing Black after the opening moves 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d5, and the position is already sharp enough to matter. White to move now, so your job is not to memorise a long theory tree — it is to know the plan, understand the engine’s answer, and handle the most common choices that club players make. The drill below lets you practise the critical decisions in a position where accuracy matters more than recall.
Play the Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Mittenberger Gambit against the engine
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Create a free account →What the engine thinks of this position
Stockfish rates this +0.67, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here, so this is a position where Black must be alert and active rather than relaxed. The good news is that the game is still very playable, and the right response can keep the game in the kinds of structures you want as Black. Your task is to meet White’s next move with energy and avoid drifting into a passive setup.
The move you should expect most often
The engine’s best move here is e5, and the suggested continuation is e5 f6 Bf4 c5. That tells you the main battle revolves around central tension and quick piece activity. As Black, you want to be ready for that kind of direct play and not let White build an easy grip on the centre. In this opening, timing matters: if White gets the centre for free, your kingside fianchetto can feel slow; if you answer accurately, Black can still generate counterplay.
What the database says players actually choose
In 45,414 games at this exact position, White wins 51.1%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 45.1%. That is a useful reminder that the position is practical but not equal in results for Black. The most-played continuations are e5 in 25,836 games, exd5 in 8,120 games, Nf3 in 3,440 games, Nxd5 in 2,746 games, Be3 in 2,210 games, and f3 in 823 games. So you should expect White to choose one of a small handful of natural developing moves or central captures.
The mistake to punish
The known mistake in this position is f3, which loses about 1.3 pawns; better was e5. That is a big warning sign for White: slow supporting moves can be punished quickly when the centre is still fluid. If your opponent tries to reinforce the position in the wrong way, be ready to seize space and open lines before White finishes development. For Black, the lesson is simple: keep the position dynamic and look for chances to strike the centre immediately.
Results across 45,414 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 25,836 | 51.2% |
| exd5 | 8,120 | 51.4% |
| Nf3 | 3,440 | 49.8% |
| Nxd5 | 2,746 | 53.5% |
| Be3 | 2,210 | 51.9% |
| f3 | 823 | 50.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the key idea for Black in the Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Mittenberger Gambit?
You are trying to stay active and meet White’s central play with your own. The best engine move here is e5, which shows that the centre is the main battleground. If you play too passively, White’s slight edge becomes easier to use.
Is this opening good for Black to play?
The current position is not ideal for Black, because Stockfish rates it +0.67, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here, but not lost. It is a playable position if you know how to handle the central tension.
What should I expect White to play most often?
The most common move is e5, with 25,836 games. Other popular choices are exd5, Nf3, Nxd5, Be3, and f3. In practice, you should be ready for direct central play more than anything else.
Which move should I punish if White plays inaccurately?
The known mistake is f3, and it loses about 1.3 pawns. The better move was e5. If White spends time on a slow support move, you should look to take over the centre and open the position.
How many games feature the Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Mittenberger Gambit?
Over 45K Lichess games have reached the Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Mittenberger Gambit position. White wins 51.1%, Black wins 45.1%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.