Caissa Codex
A00

Polish Opening: Karniewski Variation

Chess diagram: Polish Opening: Karniewski Variation after 1…Nh6

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

2,124 games: White 47.5% / Draw 4.9% / Black 47.6%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
1,7901,790
5959
4848
4040
3636
3434
2525
1717

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.24 The position is about equal

Best play: 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 e5 4. Nxe5 Bxb4 5. c4 O-O 6. cxd5 Qxd5

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Polish Opening: Karniewski Variation (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Polish Opening, reached after 1. b4 Nh6 (1 move).

In 2,124 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.5%, Black 47.6% and 4.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 2. Bb2, in 84% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 1…Nh6, the position after Polish Opening also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Polish Opening: Karniewski Variation (A00)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/polish-opening-karniewski-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/polish-opening-karniewski-variation