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Queen's Pawn Game: Mason Attack as White
The Queen's Pawn Game: Mason Attack starts with an early f-pawn advance, so you are immediately asking for a fight over the centre and kingside space. It is an opening that can lead to active positions, but you should also know that the engine does not fully approve of it. That makes the drill below especially useful: you will learn what Black is aiming for, which replies are most common, and where the first real accuracy test appears.
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Create a free account →What this opening asks you to do
After 1.d4 d5 2.f4, you have claimed space and signalled aggressive intentions. The downside is that your king can become a little more exposed, so your play needs to be purposeful rather than vague. As White, you should be ready to develop quickly, keep the position under control, and make the extra kingside space count. If you hesitate, Black can meet the setup with straightforward development and equalise or more.
What the engine prefers for Black
Stockfish rates this -0.64, a small edge for Black. That means you are slightly worse here.
The engine’s best move is Bf5, and the listed continuation is Bf5 e3 Nf6 Nc3. That is a useful reminder that Black is often happiest when developing naturally and hitting the centre without delay. In the drill, pay attention to how Black’s activity can make your early f-pawn move feel less comfortable than it looked at first.
What the database says
This exact position has been played in 2,902,391 games on Lichess, so there is plenty of practical experience behind it. White scores 50.8%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 45.0%. Those numbers show that the position is playable, but not automatically comfortable: you still need to handle the opening with care. The most common replies are Nc6, Bf5, Nf6, e6, c5, and c6, so the drill should help you recognise these natural developing moves quickly.
The main mistake to punish
One move stands out as a known mistake here: Nc6 is an inaccuracy. The database note says it loses about 0.6 pawns, and that Bf5 was better. If Black chooses Nc6, you should treat it as a chance to keep the initiative and make the position harder for Black to solve. This is exactly the kind of moment where opening training pays off: you do not need a memorised trap, just a clear sense of which moves are consistent and which are not.
Results across 2,902,391 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 754,054 | 51.4% |
| Bf5 | 536,253 | 49.6% |
| Nf6 | 528,485 | 50.4% |
| e6 | 514,174 | 52.1% |
| c5 | 176,487 | 48.7% |
| c6 | 107,588 | 51.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Mason Attack good for White?
It is playable, but not fully sound in the engine’s eyes. Stockfish gives -0.64, which means Black has a small edge, so you should treat it as an active choice rather than a safe one.
What should I be trying to achieve after 1.d4 d5 2.f4?
You are trying to use the extra kingside space to play actively while keeping your king safe. Fast development and good centre control matter more than grabbing more pawns or forcing tactics too early.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is Bf5, with the continuation Bf5 e3 Nf6 Nc3. That tells you Black is aiming for smooth development and pressure on your setup, not a flashy attack.
Which replies to this opening are most common?
The most-played continuations are Nc6, Bf5, Nf6, e6, c5, and c6. In practice, you should expect Black to develop naturally and be ready for a straightforward fight in the centre.
How many games feature the Queen's Pawn Game: Mason Attack?
Over 3 million Lichess games have reached the Queen's Pawn Game: Mason Attack position. White wins 50.8%, Black wins 45.0%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.