Hippopotamus Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
136,659 games: White 51.5% / Draw 4.0% / Black 44.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 88,62489K | ||
| 17,82118K | ||
| 7,4707,470 | ||
| 7,4307,430 | ||
| 5,8325,832 | ||
| 4,4104,410 | ||
| 1,0761,076 | ||
| 641641 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 8, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.42 White is better
Best play: 2. d4 c6 3. c4 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. h4 d6 6. h5 e5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Hippopotamus Defense (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the King's Pawn Game, reached after 1. e4 Nh6 (1 move).
In 136,659 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.5%, Black 44.5% and 4.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 2. d4, in 65% of those games.
It continues into one named variation.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Hippopotamus Defense
The most played answer, 2. d4, also scores best for White: 54.4%, with White winning 52.5% and Black 43.6% of 89K games. Of the main answers, 2. Nf3 scores lowest: 51.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 2. d4.
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
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Hippopotamus Defense (B00)”. Lichess data as of 8 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/hippopotamus-defense