Lion Defense: Bayonet Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
19,411 games: White 58.2% / Draw 4.7% / Black 37.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 10,03710K | ||
| 7,8757,875 | ||
| 794794 | ||
| 242242 | ||
| 144144 | ||
| 121121 | ||
| 7878 | ||
| 3838 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.64 White is slightly better
Best play: 4... h6 5. h3 e6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. Be3 c6 8. a4 a5 9. f4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Lion Defense: Bayonet Attack (ECO B07, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Lion Defense, reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. g4 (4 moves).
In 19,411 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 58.2%, Black 37.1% and 4.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…h6, in 52% 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 Lion Defense: Bayonet Attack
The most played answer, 4…h6, also scores best for Black: 42.5%, with Black winning 39.8% and White 54.9% of 10K games. Of the main answers, 4…e5 scores lowest: 36.3%. 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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Lion Defense: Bayonet Attack (B07)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/lion-defense-bayonet-attack