Center Game: Charousek Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
2,983 games: White 45.0% / Draw 4.5% / Black 50.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 662662 | ||
| 574574 | ||
| 328328 | ||
| 302302 | ||
| 242242 | ||
| 235235 | ||
| 140140 | ||
| 9898 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.07 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8. O-O d6 9. h3 Re8 10. Nbd2 Bf8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Center Game: Charousek Variation (ECO C22, Open Games) is a variation of the Center Game: Paulsen Attack Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qe3 Bb4+ 5. c3 Be7 (5 moves).
In 2,983 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.0%, Black 50.5% and 4.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nf3, in 22% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Center Game: Charousek Variation
The most played answer, 6. Nf3, also scores best for White: 51.6%, with White winning 49.4% and Black 46.2% of 662 games. Of the main answers, 6. Bb5 scores lowest: 43.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. Nf3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Center Game: Charousek Variation (C22)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/center-game-charousek-variation