English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Zvjaginsev-Krasenkow Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
2,018 games: White 55.2% / Draw 5.4% / Black 39.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 530530 | ||
| 436436 | ||
| 419419 | ||
| 250250 | ||
| 232232 | ||
| 6868 | ||
| 3636 | ||
| 1616 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.10 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... h6 5. h3 Nc6 6. Bg2 d5 7. a3 Bxc3 8. dxc3 dxc4 9. Qxd8+
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Zvjaginsev-Krasenkow Attack (ECO A17, Flank Openings) is a variation of the English Opening: Agincourt Defense, reached after 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bb4 4. g4 (4 moves).
In 2,018 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.2%, Black 39.4% and 5.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…Nxg4, in 26% 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 Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Zvjaginsev-Krasenkow Attack
4…h6 scores best for Black: 50.6%, with Black winning 45.8% and White 44.6% of 419 games. The most played answer, 4…Nxg4, scores lowest: 35.5% in 530 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 4…h6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Zvjaginsev-Krasenkow Attack (A17)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/english-opening-anglo-indian-defense-zvjaginsev-krasenkow-attack