Chessy
Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation, Shaviliuk Gambit
The Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation, Shaviliuk Gambit starts with an immediate challenge to White's centre after 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 e5. It is not a calm setup: Black is already asking White to prove the extra pawn and the extra space. The drill below puts you in the critical position where White has to choose a continuation, and your job is to meet it with the right practical response. Focus on simple development, central tension, and not drifting into passive defence.
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Create a free account →What the position is really about
This opening is a direct fight over the centre. After 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 e5, Black has chosen an active pawn challenge instead of waiting passively. The practical goal is to make White decide quickly whether to capture, advance, or develop, and then be ready to respond to the central structure that follows. If you want an opening with early tension and clear tactical ideas, this is one of those positions where the first few choices matter a lot.
The move you need to know
Stockfish rates this +0.85, a clear, lasting advantage for White. That means you are clearly worse here.
The engine's best move is dxe5, and the listed continuation is dxe5 d4 Nb5 c5. In practice, the main lesson is simple: meet White's choice by keeping the position active and staying focused on the centre. In this drill, that reply is the one to recognise first.
What the database says White usually chooses
Across 193,227 games at this exact position, White wins 52.3%, draws 4.0%, Black wins 43.7%. So White scores well here overall, and you should expect White to keep testing you.
The most-played continuation is dxe5 with 125,915 games, and White scores 55.2%. The other main tries are e3 with 17,255 games, Nf3 with 16,218 games, e4 with 15,760 games, Bf4 with 6,242 games, and a3 with 2,098 games. That means you need to be ready for several practical choices, not just the capture.
The common mistakes to punish
Three replies are specifically marked as mistakes here: e3, Nf3, and e4. In each case, the better move was dxe5.
The losses are not small either: e3 loses about 1.4 pawns, Nf3 loses about 1.8 pawns, and e4 loses about 1.3 pawns. That is a strong clue for your training: when White delays the capture, you should be alert to the chance to punish the move choice and steer the game back toward the correct central response.
Results across 193,227 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| dxe5 | 125,915 | 55.2% |
| e3 | 17,255 | 49.4% |
| Nf3 | 16,218 | 47.4% |
| e4 | 15,760 | 51.4% |
| Bf4 | 6,242 | 29.5% |
| a3 | 2,098 | 51.0% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation, Shaviliuk Gambit?
Black challenges White immediately with 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 e5. The opening is about active central play and forcing White to choose a response right away. It is not a quiet system opening.
What is the engine's best move in this position?
The engine's best move is dxe5. The listed continuation is dxe5 d4 Nb5 c5. In the drill, that is the move to recognise and play first.
Is this opening good for Black?
No. Stockfish rates the position +0.85, a clear, lasting advantage for White. That means you are clearly worse here, so you need accurate play and good practical defence.
Which White moves should I be ready to face most often?
The most-played continuation is dxe5, and the other main choices are e3, Nf3, e4, Bf4, and a3. The database also shows that e3, Nf3, and e4 are mistakes in this position, with dxe5 being the better move.
How many games feature the Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation, Shaviliuk Gambit?
Over 193K Lichess games have reached the Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation, Shaviliuk Gambit position. White wins 52.3%, Black wins 43.7%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.