After 1.Nf3 d5 2.d3 Bf5, White can strike immediately with 3.c4. You're not playing a flashy gambit — this is a calm, principled opening that keeps the game under your control. The engine gives +0.34, a small but real edge for your side. Across 2,278 games White scores a healthy 49.5%, with only 46.7% going to Black. The position is still early, but you already have a clear direction: attack Black's centre while staying solid. Let's see how to handle Black's most popular replies.
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Play the Zukertort Opening: Old Indian Attack: Bf5 against the engine
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The move 3.c4 directly challenges Black's pawn on d5. If Black captures with dxc4, you recapture with dxc4 and open the centre on your terms — the engine's preferred continuation goes 3.c4 dxc4 4.e4 Bg4 5.d4. That gives you a strong pawn duo in the centre and a space advantage. If Black doesn't capture, you can push cxd5 later, leaving White with a semi-open c-file and a slight lead in development. Your bishop on f1 has clear prospects, and your knight on f3 is well placed. The key idea is simple: don't let Black keep that d5 pawn unchallenged.
The Engine's Best Move: dxc4
Stockfish's top choice for Black is 3...dxc4, played in 732 games. After 4.e4 Black's bishop must move, and the engine suggests 4...Bg4. Then 5.d4 leaves you with a classic centre: pawns on e4 and d4, a knight on f3, and options to develop quickly with Be3 and Nc3 (or c3 if you prefer). White's score after 3...dxc4 is only 47.8%, but that's partly because it's Black's best try — the engine still says +0.34 is in your favour. Trust the evaluation: you have a slight pull in a position that is easy to play for a club player, while Black has to be accurate.
What the Statistics Reveal
Black's most popular reply is 3...e6, with 778 games. White scores 49.2% here — solid, but Black equalises more easily than after other moves. The real opportunities come against Black's less accurate tries: - 3...c6 (211 games): White scores 55.9%. This is a big number. Black's pawn on c6 doesn't help contest the centre, and the engine calls it an inaccuracy (loses ~0.5 pawns). - 3...Nf6 (236 games): White scores 52.1%. Despite being the third most common reply, the engine flags it as an inaccuracy (loses ~0.6 pawns). - 3...Nc6 (107 games): White scores 51.4%, but this is actually a mistake that loses ~2.5 pawns. The best move was 3...d4, but that's rarely played (139 games) and gives Black a poor 42.4% score — so you're doing well if Black pushes the d-pawn. In short, if Black doesn't play 3...dxc4 or 3...e6, you're already getting the upper hand.
Punishing Black's Mistakes
If Black plays 3...Nc6, you have a big advantage to press. The engine says Black should have played d4 instead — that move loses ~2.5 pawns. Your plan? Continue developing naturally, aiming to open the centre. After 3...Nf6 or 3...c6, the advantage is smaller but still real. Against 3...c6, for instance, you have a 55.9% winning chance. In all these cases, the engine wants you to stay consistent: capture on d5 when it helps you, build your centre, and don't rush. The +0.34 edge is yours to keep as long as you play principled chess.
Results across 2,278 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | e6Main line | 778 | 49.2% |
| 2 | dxc4 | 732 | 47.8% |
| 3 | Nf6 | 236 | 52.1% |
| 4 | c6 | 211 | 55.9% |
| 5 | d4 | 139 | 42.4% |
| 6 | Nc6 | 107 | 51.4% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Zukertort Opening: Old Indian Attack: Bf5 a good opening for beginners?
Yes. The positions are straightforward after 3.c4, and you avoid heavy opening theory. White gets a small edge (+0.34) without risky tactics, making it a great choice for club players who want a solid game.
What should White do after 3...e6 in the Zukertort Opening?
3...e6 is Black's most common reply (778 games). White scores 49.2% here. Keep building your centre — options like Nc3 or g3 are natural. Black's pawn on e6 can become a target if you open the position later with e4 or cxd5.
Why is 3...dxc4 Black's best move in this line?
The engine prefers 3...dxc4 (+0.34 for White) because it releases tension and lets Black develop. Even so, after 4.e4 Bg4 5.d4 you have a strong centre and an easy game. White's score after 3...dxc4 is 47.8%, which is lower than against other moves — proof it's Black's best try.
What is the biggest mistake Black can make in this position?
Playing 3...Nc6 is the worst common mistake, losing ~2.5 pawns according to the engine. White scores 51.4% after it, but the evaluation says you're much better. Exploit it by opening the centre and developing quickly.