Chessy
Richter-Veresov Attack: Boyce Defense — Black to play
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bg5 Ne4, White has already accepted a sharp move order and you need to know what to do next. The drill below puts you in the critical position where accuracy matters immediately. Your first task is simple: meet White’s pressure without drifting into a passive game. The engine’s main answer is direct, and several popular White moves are real mistakes. Train the position, learn the punishment, and get used to the kind of decision this opening asks for.
Play the Richter-Veresov Attack: Boyce Defense against the engine
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Create a free account →What this position is asking you to do
In this line, the game turns on whether Black can answer White’s setup with a clean central reaction. The position is not about memorising a long branch; it is about making the right practical decision when White has developed actively and is trying to keep tension. Stockfish rates this +0.68, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here, so you should not relax or assume equal comfort. Play with care, because White already has the more pleasant starting point.
The engine’s main reply
The best move here is Nxe4. That is the move the drill expects you to find, and it fits the central nature of the position. The listed continuation is Nxe4 dxe4 e3 f6. In practical terms, you want to meet White’s challenge head-on rather than let White keep the initiative for free. This is the moment to stay alert and choose the forcing reply that keeps your position coherent.
What the database says about the position
This exact position has been played in 101,195 games on Lichess, so it is a very real practical tabiya. White wins 50.2%, draws 3.9%, and Black wins 45.9%. That lines up with the engine’s small plus for White: Black can play this, but White does a little better overall. For a learner, that means the goal is not to ‘solve’ the opening with a miracle, but to handle the critical move correctly and avoid drifting into an inferior game.
White’s most common tries and the ones to punish
The most-played continuation is Nxe4 with 88,977 games, and White scores 51.3% there. Other common tries are Nf3 with 2,763 games and White scoring 47.7%, Bf4 with 2,069 games and White scoring 46.4%, Bh4 with 1,451 games and White scoring 51.4%, Bd2 with 1,134 games and White scoring 45.5%, and Qd3 with 1,014 games and White scoring 31.6%. The database also marks Nf3, Bf4, and Bh4 as mistakes, all with the same practical lesson: White should have played Nxe4 instead. If your opponent chooses one of those, you should be ready to recognise that they have helped you.
How to use the drill well
This is a good opening drill if you want to practise responding to an early piece pin with calm central play. Because the position is already sharp, it rewards players who notice tactical and structural details quickly. As Black, your job is to know the key engine move, understand which White choices are inaccurate, and avoid guessing in the first critical moment. Repeating the drill will help you turn a tricky opening position into something familiar.
Results across 101,195 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nxe4 | 88,977 | 51.3% |
| Nf3 | 2,763 | 47.7% |
| Bf4 | 2,069 | 46.4% |
| Bh4 | 1,451 | 51.4% |
| Bd2 | 1,134 | 45.5% |
| Qd3 | 1,014 | 31.6% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main move for Black in this line?
The engine’s best move is **Nxe4**. In the listed continuation, the play goes **Nxe4 dxe4 e3 f6**. If you remember only one thing from this lesson, remember that active central reply.
Is the position good for Black?
No. Stockfish rates it **+0.68**, which is a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse and should aim for accurate defence rather than carefree play.
Which White moves are most common here?
The most-played continuation is **Nxe4** with **88,977 games**. Other common tries are **Nf3**, **Bf4**, **Bh4**, **Bd2**, and **Qd3**. The drill helps you learn which of these you can meet confidently.
Which White moves are mistakes?
The database marks **Nf3**, **Bf4**, and **Bh4** as mistakes. In each case, White would have done better with **Nxe4**. That makes these useful moves to recognise and punish over the board.
How many games feature the Richter-Veresov Attack: Boyce Defense?
Over 101K Lichess games have reached the Richter-Veresov Attack: Boyce Defense position. White wins 50.2%, Black wins 45.9%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.