Marienbad System
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Statistics from Lichess
20,333 games: White 45.2% / Draw 7.8% / Black 47.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 12,47212K | ||
| 3,3513,351 | ||
| 2,3452,345 | ||
| 1,1311,131 | ||
| 655655 | ||
| 8585 | ||
| 7373 | ||
| 5656 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 8, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.17 The position is about equal
Best play: 5. dxc5 bxc5 6. O-O e6 7. Re1 Be7 8. Nc3 d5 9. e4 Nxe4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Marienbad System (ECO A47, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Pseudo Queen's Indian Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. Bg2 c5 (4 moves).
In 20,333 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.2%, Black 47.0% and 7.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. O-O, in 61% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Marienbad System: Berg 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 Marienbad System
5. c4 scores best for White: 50.8%, with White winning 46.9% and Black 45.3% of 1,131 games. The most played, 5. O-O, scores 49.8% in 12K games, and 5. c3 scores lowest: 45.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 5. dxc5.
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. “Marienbad System (A47)”. Lichess data as of 8 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/marienbad-system