Modern Defense: Randspringer Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
67,740 games: White 50.3% / Draw 5.1% / Black 44.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 19,11119K | ||
| 15,35815K | ||
| 12,87013K | ||
| 8,3868,386 | ||
| 3,0003,000 | ||
| 2,2752,275 | ||
| 1,6811,681 | ||
| 1,5221,522 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.11 White is better
Best play: 5. exf5 Bxf5 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. h3 e5 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Modern Defense: Randspringer Variation (ECO A42, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Modern Defense: Averbakh System, reached after 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 f5 (4 moves).
In 67,740 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.3%, Black 44.6% and 5.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. exf5, in 28% 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 Modern Defense: Randspringer Variation
5. Nf3 scores best for White: 55.5%, with White winning 52.9% and Black 42.0% of 15K games. The most played, 5. exf5, scores 55.1% in 19K games, and 5. f3 scores lowest: 50.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 5. exf5.
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. “Modern Defense: Randspringer Variation (A42)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-randspringer-variation