Lemming Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
108,494 games: White 50.9% / Draw 3.9% / Black 45.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 36,65437K | ||
| 31,04831K | ||
| 21,70522K | ||
| 4,9904,990 | ||
| 4,2524,252 | ||
| 3,8583,858 | ||
| 1,5001,500 | ||
| 941941 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 3, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.08 White is better
Best play: 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bd2 Bxc3 6. Bxc3 dxe4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Lemming Defense (ECO B00, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the King's Pawn Game, reached after 1. e4 Na6 (1 move).
In 108,494 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.9%, Black 45.2% and 3.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 2. d4, in 34% 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 Lemming Defense
The most played answer, 2. d4, also scores best for White: 54.1%, with White winning 52.2% and Black 44.1% of 37K games. Of the main answers, 2. Bxa6 scores lowest: 50.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 2. 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. “Lemming Defense (B00)”. Lichess data as of 3 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/lemming-defense