Chessy
Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack as White
This opening starts with an unusual idea: White grabs space early with the f-pawn, then builds around the centre with Nc3. That gives you an active setup, but it also leaves you with a position where Black is already a little better if you do not know what comes next. The drill below helps you recognise the critical reply, meet the most common continuations, and understand what kind of middlegame this opening usually leads to.
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Create a free account →What the position is asking Black to do
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.Nc3, the move order has already created a sharp, slightly awkward structure for White. Your early f-pawn move supports central play, but it also slows development and gives Black a clear target. Stockfish rates this -0.60, a small edge for Black. That means you are slightly worse, so you need to play with purpose rather than drift into a passive position.
The engine's main answer
The engine's best move is c5, and the listed continuation is c5 e4 Nc6 Bb5. That is the move you need to be ready for in the drill. The point is simple: Black immediately challenges the centre and uses the fact that White has committed the f-pawn early. If you are White, your job is to keep your position coordinated and avoid falling behind in development while the centre is under pressure.
What the database says happens most often
This exact position has been reached in 689,670 games in the Lichess database, so you are not studying a rare curiosity. The most common continuations are Nc6, Bf5, e6, c5, g6, and c6. White's results in those lines are close across most of them, but the most important practical lesson is that Black has several natural replies, and you need to know which one demands the most respect.
Moves you should be ready to punish
The position contains a few known mistakes, and they all point to the same idea: Black should not waste the chance to play c5. Nc6 is an inaccuracy, Bf5 is a mistake, and g6 is an inaccuracy, with c5 given as the better move in each case. In other words, if Black chooses a slower move, you should keep your pieces active and keep asking questions of the centre instead of letting the game settle comfortably for Black.
What kind of game this opening usually becomes
The statistics show that White scores 44.8%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 51.2% at this exact position. That fits the engine's verdict: this is not a fully comfortable setup for White. You are playing for an active game, not a safe one. If you like direct positions where understanding matters more than memorising long theory, this drill is a good place to start.
Results across 689,670 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc6 | 204,895 | 44.9% |
| Bf5 | 179,412 | 44.7% |
| e6 | 167,103 | 45.4% |
| c5 | 41,163 | 35.9% |
| g6 | 34,281 | 46.4% |
| c6 | 24,433 | 47.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack good for White?
It is playable, but the engine gives Black a small edge here. The key is to know the main reply and avoid drifting into a passive game. If you want an active opening with clear ideas, it can still be a useful choice.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine's best move is c5. The listed continuation is c5 e4 Nc6 Bb5, so that is the line White should be prepared for in the drill.
Which replies do people play most often?
The most-played continuations are Nc6, Bf5, e6, c5, g6, and c6. The database shows that several of them are common, so you should not rely on facing only one setup.
What should White focus on after 1.d4 Nf6 2.f3 d5 3.Nc3?
Focus on staying coordinated and meeting Black's central counterplay. White has the space idea, but the early f-pawn move means you must play accurately and not fall behind in development.
How many games feature the Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack?
Over 689K Lichess games have reached the Queen's Pawn Game: Veresov, Richter Attack position. White wins 44.8%, Black wins 51.2%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.