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Rapport-Jobava System, with e6: White to move
The Rapport-Jobava System, with e6 gives White an active, flexible setup straight from the opening. After 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Bf4, you are already aiming for piece activity rather than slow manoeuvring. The position is balanced, so your job is not to prove an advantage immediately — it is to know the plans, recognise Black’s most reliable replies, and keep your pieces comfortable. Use the drill below to get a feel for the tabiya and practise the ideas that matter most.
Play the Rapport-Jobava System, with e6 against the engine
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Create a free account →A balanced position with room for ideas
Stockfish rates this +0.06, a tiny edge for White. That means you are basically level here. This is a good opening choice if you want a position where your pieces come out naturally and you can play for activity without taking big risks.
The key feature is that White has already developed the queen’s bishop early. In practical terms, you want to keep that bishop active, finish development smoothly, and avoid letting Black free themselves with easy central play.
Black’s most accurate reply to know
The engine’s best move is Nf6, and the follow-up given is Nf6 Nb5 Na6 e3. You do not need to memorise a long forcing line here, but you do need to recognise that Black’s most reliable reaction is quick development.
Against that kind of reply, stay calm. Complete your setup, keep your king safe, and be ready for a middlegame where both sides have active pieces rather than a sharp tactical battle right away.
What the game statistics say
Across 3,790,531 games at this exact position, White wins 50.1%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 45.9%. That is a very balanced score, which matches the engine’s near-equal evaluation.
The most-played continuations also show that this position is rich in choice. Nf6 is the main reply, but Bd6, c5, Bb4, a6, and Nc6 all appear often. That means you should be ready for several different kinds of play, not just one fixed plan.
The replies you will meet most often
If you are studying this opening as White, the practical lesson is that Black has several common ways to respond, and none of them should surprise you. Nf6 is the main engine move and the most popular continuation. Bd6 and c5 are also major choices, while Bb4, a6, and Nc6 each appear regularly.
Your goal is to keep the position under control regardless of which move Black chooses. That usually means developing harmoniously, keeping the bishop active, and staying alert to when Black tries to challenge your setup with central or piece pressure.
Results across 3,790,531 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 859,675 | 49.8% |
| Bd6 | 659,813 | 48.7% |
| c5 | 585,345 | 50.3% |
| Bb4 | 503,026 | 49.5% |
| a6 | 458,625 | 48.7% |
| Nc6 | 240,671 | 53.3% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rapport-Jobava System, with e6 good for White?
It is a perfectly playable choice for White, but the position after 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Bf4 is not an automatic advantage. Stockfish gives +0.06, so the game is essentially level and you should expect a normal fight.
What is Black’s best move here?
The engine’s best move is Nf6. The listed continuation is Nf6 Nb5 Na6 e3, so you should be ready for Black to develop naturally and keep the position solid.
How does White score in this position?
Across 3,790,531 games at this exact position, White wins 50.1%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 45.9%. Those numbers show a very balanced position with plenty of practical play for both sides.
What are the most common Black replies after 3.Bf4?
The most-played continuations are Nf6, Bd6, c5, Bb4, a6, and Nc6. Since several replies are common, it helps to understand the general ideas rather than only one fixed line.