English Defense: Perrin Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
30,657 games: White 52.6% / Draw 3.6% / Black 43.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 13,09513K | ||
| 6,7086,708 | ||
| 6,3326,332 | ||
| 2,3362,336 | ||
| 1,7331,733 | ||
| 199199 | ||
| 8484 | ||
| 4545 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.73 White is better
Best play: 5. Ne2 Nb4 6. O-O Nxd3 7. Qxd3 Ne7 8. Nbc3 Ng6 9. f4 f5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
English Defense: Perrin Variation (ECO A40, Flank Openings) is a variation of the English Defense, reached after 1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. e4 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nc6 (4 moves).
In 30,657 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.6%, Black 43.8% and 3.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Nf3, in 43% 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 English Defense: Perrin Variation
5. Ne2 scores best for White: 55.9%, with White winning 54.0% and Black 42.1% of 6,332 games. The most played, 5. Nf3, scores 55.3% in 13K games, and 5. Nc3 scores lowest: 52.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. Ne2.
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. “English Defense: Perrin Variation (A40)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-defense-perrin-variation