Hippopotamus Defense 3. c4 f6
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Statistics from Lichess
21,797 games: White 45.7% / Draw 4.6% / Black 49.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 13,20413K | ||
| 1,8461,846 | ||
| 1,5771,577 | ||
| 1,0231,023 | ||
| 890890 | ||
| 846846 | ||
| 771771 | ||
| 426426 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 14, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.35 White is better
Best play: 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. h4 d6 6. Be2 O-O 7. d5 Qe8 8. Nh3 Na6
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 Hippopotamus Defense, reached after 1. e4 Nh6 2. d4 g6 3. c4 f6 (3 moves).
In 21,797 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.7%, Black 49.7% and 4.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. Nc3, in 61% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 3…f6
The most played answer, 4. Nc3, also scores best for White: 49.2%, with White winning 46.9% and Black 48.4% of 13K games. Of the main answers, 4. Nf3 scores lowest: 43.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. Nc3.
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. “Hippopotamus Defense (B00)”. Lichess data as of 14 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/hippopotamus-defense-2