Polish Opening: German Defense
Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.
Statistics from Lichess
39,304 games: White 46.2% / Draw 4.8% / Black 49.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 29,14629K | ||
| 8,0808,080 | ||
| 752752 | ||
| 462462 | ||
| 284284 | ||
| 215215 | ||
| 143143 | ||
| 7979 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 26, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.02 The position is about equal
Best play: 3. a3 e5 4. c4 dxc4 5. e3 b5 6. Nf3 Nd7 7. Nc3 a6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Polish Opening: German Defense (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Polish Opening, with d5, reached after 1. b4 d5 2. Bb2 Qd6 (2 moves).
In 39,304 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.2%, Black 49.1% and 4.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 3. a3, in 74% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
Write a description or report a mistake
How to play against the Polish Opening: German Defense
The most played answer, 3. a3, also scores best for White: 49.2%, with White winning 46.7% and Black 48.2% of 29K games. Of the main answers, 3. b5 scores lowest: 47.2%. Stockfish's first choice is also 3. a3.
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. “Polish Opening: German Defense (A00)”. Lichess data as of 26 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/polish-opening-german-defense